Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas
A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,210 in San Diego, CA versus $1,500 in Tampa, FL. Overall, Tampa, FL is roughly 32% cheaper to live in day-to-day than San Diego, CA, driven mainly by rent.
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego, CA and $71,302 in Tampa, FL — about 32% higher in San Diego, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Florida has no state income tax and a 6% state sales tax.
Rent
Buying a Home
Income
People & Lifestyle
Crime (per 100k/yr)
FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.
Climate
Gas
Area: California vs Florida.
Public Transit
Adult base one-way fare — MTS vs HART (2026).
Utilities
Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.
Groceries
Average prices — West vs South (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.
State Taxes
San Diego vs Tampa — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in San Diego or Tampa?
- Tampa, FL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,500 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 32% below San Diego, CA's $2,210, mainly because of rent.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in San Diego than in Tampa?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $75,000 a year in San Diego versus $53,000 in Tampa.
- Which has lower taxes, San Diego or Tampa?
- San Diego is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Tampa under Florida's (no state income tax and a 6% 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).