Moving from Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV to San Diego, CA
About 4,354 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020), and 3,683 go the other way. Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in San Diego, CA.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.6% of income in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV and 21.6% in San Diego, CA.
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV San Diego, CA (monthly)
| Monthly | Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,258 | $1,258 | $0 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $265 | $189 | −$76 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $0 | $76 | +$76 |
| Take-home pay | $4,575 | $4,575 | $0 |
| Housing | $2,204 | $2,335 | +$131 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,204 | $2,335 | +$131 |
| Food | $462 | $476 | +$14 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 108.0 | $462 | $476 | +$14 |
| Transportation | $175 | $249 | +$75 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $6.23/gal (CA weekly average) | $175 | $249 | +$75 |
| Sales tax | $31 | $39 | +$8 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 7.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $39 | +$8 |
| Other goods & services | $1,036 | $1,038 | +$2 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 108.0 | $524 | $540 | +$16 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.6 | $512 | $498 | −$14 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $667 | $438 | −$229 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 17.4% of income in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV and 15.5% in San Diego, CA.
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV has no published price for school-age (5–12) care, so that care is left out there but priced in San Diego, CA — the comparison overstates the salary needed in San Diego, CA.
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV San Diego, CA (monthly)
| Monthly | Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,739 | $1,545 | −$194 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law | $504 | $180 | −$324 |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI)2026 tax law | $0 | $130 | +$130 |
| Take-home pay | $8,261 | $8,455 | +$194 |
| Housing | $2,438 | $2,823 | +$385 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,438 | $2,823 | +$385 |
| Childcare | $2,079 | $2,445 | +$366 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $243/wk, school-age $219/wk (2022 prices, San Diego County, CA); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $2,079 | $2,445 | +$366 |
| Food | $1,345 | $1,385 | +$40 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 108.0 | $1,345 | $1,385 | +$40 |
| Transportation | $349 | $498 | +$149 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $6.23/gal (CA weekly average) | $349 | $498 | +$149 |
| Sales tax | $31 | $39 | +$8 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 7.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $31 | $39 | +$8 |
| Other goods & services | $1,036 | $1,038 | +$2 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 108.0 | $524 | $540 | +$16 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 99.6 | $512 | $498 | −$14 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $983 | $227 | −$756 |
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV vs San Diego, CA at a glance
| Measure | Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 108.9 | 111.9 |
| Housing price level | 151.1 | 179.3 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,204 | $2,335 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,438 | $2,823 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $3,107 | $3,743 |
| Median home value | $579,900 | $854,700 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 0.91% | 0.68% |
| Median household income | $126,684 | $106,268 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $490 | $379 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6% (7% from 2027-10-01) | 7.25% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.36 | $6.23 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $140 | $155 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in San Diego, CA to keep my Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV, about $74,501 in San Diego, CA (+6.4%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $132,460. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs. Caveat for the family: Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV has no published price for school-age (5–12) care, so that care is left out there but priced in San Diego, CA — the comparison overstates the salary needed in San Diego, CA.
Is San Diego, CA cheaper than Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, San Diego, CA is at 111.9 and Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV at 108.9 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have −$229 a month in San Diego, CA.
How many people move from Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV to San Diego, CA?+
About 4,354 people a year (±1,008), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020); about 3,683 move the other way.
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.