Living Cost Compare
Newark

Delaware

$1,620/mo est.

vs
San Diego

California

$2,220/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,620 in Newark, DE versus $2,220 in San Diego, CA. Overall, Newark, DE is roughly 27% cheaper to live in day-to-day than San Diego, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,373 in Newark, DE and $104,321 in San Diego, CA — about 32% higher in San Diego, CA. Delaware has a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Newark, DE
San Diego, CA

Rent

Studio
$1,649
$1,737
+5% in San Diego, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,391
$1,883
+35% in San Diego, CA
2 Bedroom
$1,513
$2,348
+55% in San Diego, CA
3 Bedroom
$1,916
$2,818
+47% in San Diego, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$357,600
$848,500
+137% in San Diego, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$71,373
$104,321
+46% in San Diego, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,310
$58,690
+8% in San Diego, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
22.0 yr
36.0 yr
+14.0 yr in San Diego, CA
Homeownership
50.3%
47.6%
+2.7 pp in Newark, DE
Bachelor's+ (25+)
57.5%
49.9%
+7.6 pp in Newark, DE
Avg Commute
19.6 min
23.9 min
+4.3 min in San Diego, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
326.3
414.3
+27% in San Diego, CA
Property Crime
2,024.6
1,693.6
+16% in Newark, DE

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
54.9°F
63.6°F
+8.7°F in San Diego, CA
Annual Precipitation
43.1 in
10.3 in
+32.7 in in Newark, DE

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.94/gal
$5.52/gal
+40% in San Diego, CA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs California.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs MTS (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
19.3
34.7
+80% in San Diego, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$29.73
$20.33
+32% in Newark, DE

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.82
+20% in San Diego, CA
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$2.04
+17% in San Diego, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Newark, DE
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$7.36
+14% in San Diego, CA
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.01
+6% in San Diego, CA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.70
+14% in San Diego, CA

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (DE / CA)
None
7.25%
+7.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
6.60%
13.30%
+6.7 pp in CA

Newark vs San Diego — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Newark or San Diego?
Newark, DE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,620 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 27% below San Diego, CA's $2,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Newark than in San Diego?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $56,000 a year in Newark versus $75,000 in San Diego.
Which has lower taxes, Newark or San Diego?
Newark is taxed under Delaware's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.60% and no state sales tax); San Diego under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).