(Image Credit: IMAGN) Brandon Peralta, worker, cooks up a large batch of ravioli inside the kitchen at Francesca Pizza and Pasta in Elmwood Park on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024.
San Diego, California – A recent study by GOBankingRates reveals that San Diego has experienced the most substantial increase in the cost of living among major U.S. cities since 2019, placing a significant financial burden on its residents.
The study, which examined the change in total living expenses from 2019 to 2025 across the country’s most populous cities, found that San Diego’s monthly cost of living has jumped by a staggering 20.3% over the past six years.
Researchers utilized data from several sources, including Sperling’s BestPlaces for current cost of living figures, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey for average spending, and Federal Reserve Economic Data for 30-year fixed mortgage rates. The 2019 cost of living was then adjusted to 2025 dollars using the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator. All data was accurate as of March 3, 2025.
The findings indicate a dramatic rise in living expenses. In 2019, the annual total cost of living in San Diego was $86,971. By 2025, this figure has soared to $104,654, marking the largest percentage increase among the cities analyzed.
Notably, another California city, San Jose, followed San Diego with the second-highest cost of living increase, registering an 11.2% rise. San Jose’s annual living expenses climbed from $124,628 in 2019 to $138,599 in 2025.
This surge in living costs has placed significant financial strain on San Diego residents, many of whom have been grappling with rising expenses since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The data underscores a substantial decline in the purchasing power of the dollar in the city.
The study highlights the cumulative impact of inflation, housing costs, and other economic factors on San Diego’s affordability. The sharp increase in living expenses has forced many residents to make difficult financial choices, impacting their overall quality of life.
The complete findings of the GOBankingRates study, including detailed information on the methodology employed, are available on their website, providing further insight into the economic challenges facing San Diego residents. The study emphasizes the urgent need to address the rising cost of living in the city and to explore potential solutions to alleviate the financial burden on its residents.
