Is Kearny Mesa Expensive?

San Diego, United States

-15% vs San Diego avg

Living in Kearny Mesa, San Diego

Kearny Mesa is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in San Diego, with a cost of living index of 65.9 — that is -15% compared to the San Diego average. Ranked #23 of 30, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $2,210/month, compared to a range of $1,768 in National City to $3,640 in Coronado.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Kearny Mesa, housing takes up roughly 38% 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 $88,400 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Kearny Mesa

Salaries in Kearny Mesa reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 65.9:

After tax and deductions of 28.9% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $88,400 would be roughly $62,852/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

65.9
COLI Index
0.85x
vs City Avg
$2,210
Est. 1BR Rent
#23
of 30 Areas
28.9%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Kearny Mesa

Estimated annual deductions on a $49,425 salary in Kearny Mesa, San Diego (local employee).

Income Tax
12%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (CA)
9.3%
Total Deductions: 28.9%
Est. Take-Home: $35,121/yr

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

Salary Equivalents

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

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $49,425
London GBP £42,534
Dubai AED AED 247,312

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 Kearny Mesa:

Oak Park, Chicago Edgewater, Chicago Quincy, Boston Sunnyside, Portland Woodlands, Singapore Pasir Ris, Singapore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kearny Mesa expensive in San Diego?

Kearny Mesa is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in San Diego. It costs about -15% less than the city average, ranking #23 out of 30 neighborhoods.

How does Kearny Mesa compare to the San Diego average?

The cost of living in Kearny Mesa is below the San Diego average. With a multiplier of 0.85x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -15% 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.