Living Cost Compare
San Diego

California

$2,220/mo est.

vs
Worcester

Massachusetts

$1,340/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,220 in San Diego, CA versus $1,340 in Worcester, MA. Overall, Worcester, MA is roughly 40% 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 $67,544 in Worcester, MA — about 35% higher in San Diego, CA. California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax; Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

San Diego, CA
Worcester, MA

Rent

Studio
$1,737
$1,087
+37% in San Diego, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,883
$1,028
+45% in San Diego, CA
2 Bedroom
$2,348
$1,476
+37% in San Diego, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,818
$1,675
+41% in San Diego, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$848,500
$339,500
+60% in San Diego, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$104,321
$67,544
+35% in San Diego, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$58,690
$57,830
+1% in San Diego, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
36.0 yr
34.1 yr
+1.9 yr in San Diego, CA
Homeownership
47.6%
42.4%
+5.2 pp in San Diego, CA
Bachelor's+ (25+)
49.9%
34.1%
+15.8 pp in San Diego, CA
Avg Commute
23.9 min
25.1 min
+1.2 min in Worcester, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
414.3
640.2
+55% in Worcester, MA
Property Crime
1,693.6
1,580.3
+7% in San Diego, CA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
63.6°F
47.9°F
+15.7°F in San Diego, CA
Annual Precipitation
10.3 in
48.1 in
+37.7 in in Worcester, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$5.52/gal
$4.07/gal
+26% in San Diego, CA

Area: California vs Massachusetts.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.50
—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
34.7
29.6
+15% in San Diego, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$20.33
$30.66
+51% in Worcester, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.82
$4.31
+10% in San Diego, CA
Bread (lb)
$2.04
$1.92
+6% in San Diego, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$2.19
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$7.36
$6.90
+6% in San Diego, CA
Chicken (lb)
$2.01
$2.19
+9% in Worcester, MA
Bananas (lb)
$0.70
$0.69
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (CA / MA)
7.25%
6.25%
+1.0 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
13.30%
9.00%
+4.3 pp in CA

San Diego vs Worcester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in San Diego or Worcester?
Worcester, MA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,340 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 40% below San Diego, CA's $2,220, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in San Diego than in Worcester?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $75,000 a year in San Diego versus $41,000 in Worcester.
Which has lower taxes, San Diego or Worcester?
San Diego is taxed under California's rules (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax); Worcester under Massachusetts's (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).