2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Diego, CA vs Berkeley, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Berkeley or is it cheaper to live in San Diego?
- Berkeley is 26.2% more expensive than San Diego.

Which city has more affordable housing, Berkeley or San Diego?
- Berkeley housing costs are 87.1% more expensive than San Diego housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Diego or is Health Care more affordable in Berkeley.
- Health related expenses are 31.2% more in Berkeley.
 San Diego, CABerkeley, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock195.5100
 Food & Groceries109.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock116.8100
 Housing278.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,320,600$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock118.7100
 Miscellaneous153.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Diego    319 Reviews

I have lived in San Diego for more than half my life (I am 30) and love it. It has something for everyone and more from arts, to sporting events, and all cuisine is  More

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The only real knock again San Diego is the cost of living, but it is paradise compared to most cities of similar size. Those who complain about the traffic here or say  More

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I have lived in San Diego since 1968 and I am now almost 62 years old. I love San Diego, I really do. But it has become so crowded and so expensive over the years. It  More

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Reviews for Berkeley    14 Reviews

Have lived in Berkeley for about 35 years now. Housing/Real Estate: If you're looking to move here, $1,000,000 will get you a small cottage in the "flats". Most of  More

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Over 12 years ago

We have the best climate -- summers and winters are mild. Lots of  More

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Over 14 years ago

The 60's have left Berkeley and now it is about MONEY...and the people there have plenty of it and nice hybrid cars (looks like 2 per household) and with a great bicycle  More

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