Is Hillcrest Expensive?

San Diego, United States

+8% vs San Diego avg

Living in Hillcrest, San Diego

Hillcrest is a moderately-priced area within San Diego, with a cost of living index of 83.7 — that is +8% compared to the San Diego average. It sits around the middle of the pack at #14 out of 30 neighborhoods. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $2,808/month, compared to a range of $1,768 in National City to $3,640 in Coronado.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Hillcrest, housing takes up roughly 49% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $112,320 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Hillcrest

Salaries in Hillcrest reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 83.7:

After tax and deductions of 31.1% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $112,320 would be roughly $77,388/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

83.7
COLI Index
1.08x
vs City Avg
$2,808
Est. 1BR Rent
#14
of 30 Areas
31.1%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Hillcrest

Estimated annual deductions on a $62,775 salary in Hillcrest, San Diego (local employee).

Income Tax
14%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (CA)
9.3%
Total Deductions: 31.1%
Est. Take-Home: $43,271/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Hillcrest would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $62,775
London GBP £54,023
Dubai AED AED 314,113

Other Neighborhoods in San Diego

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Coronado 108.5 1.40x +40%
Rancho Santa Fe 108.5 1.40x +40%
Del Mar 106.9 1.38x +38%
La Jolla 104.6 1.35x +35%
Gaslamp Quarter 94.5 1.22x +22%

View all 30 neighborhoods in San Diego →

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Hillcrest:

Dublin 6 (Ranelagh), Dublin Blackrock, Dublin Adams Morgan, Washington DC Arlington (VA), Washington DC Tenleytown, Washington DC Alexandria (VA), Washington DC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hillcrest expensive in San Diego?

Hillcrest is near the city average for San Diego. Costs are about +8% vs the average, making it a mid-range neighborhood.

How does Hillcrest compare to the San Diego average?

The cost of living in Hillcrest is above the San Diego average. With a multiplier of 1.08x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +8% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.