Portland vs San Diego Cost of Living

Portland (United States) · Overall index 71.6San Diego (United States) · Overall index 80.0

Summary

  • Overall, San Diego is 12% more expensive than Portland.
  • Rent in San Diego is 30% more expensive than in Portland.
  • Groceries in San Diego is 10% more expensive than in Portland.
ItemPortlandSan DiegoDiff
Rent+30%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,960$2,906+48%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,460$1,560+7%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$3,849$5,348+39%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$2,772$3,541+28%
Groceries+10%
Milk (1L)$1.09$1.29+18%
White bread (500g)$3.31$3.77+14%
Rice (1kg)$4.32$4.26-1%
Eggs (12)$3.87$4.41+14%
Local cheese (1kg)$13.4$14.8+10%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$12$12.7+6%
Beef round (1kg)$16.4$19.1+16%
Apples (1kg)$5.08$5.14+1%
Bananas (1kg)$1.66$1.82+10%
Oranges (1kg)$4.1$3.98-3%
Tomatoes (1kg)$4.59$5.15+12%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.67$3.07+15%
Onions (1kg)$2.57$2.92+14%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.26$2.36+4%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.4$2.61+9%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$13.2$15.1+14%
Transport+9%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.37$2.68+13%
Public transport, monthly pass$103$122+18%
Taxi, base fare$3.46$3.68+6%
Taxi, per km$1.7$1.86+9%
Gasoline (1L)$0.79$0.87+10%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$26,249$26,442+1%
Dining out+3%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$18.7$22.6+21%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$115$107-7%
Fast food combo meal$11$11.9+8%
Cappuccino$5.06$5.18+2%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$2.53$2.16-15%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$6.76$5.99-11%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$6.3$7.37+17%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.61$1.87+16%
Telecom+6%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$58$63.4+9%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$56.1$55.3-1%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.28$0.31+11%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$12.4$13.3+7%
Utilities & household+4%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$158$153-3%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.19$0.2+5%
Tap water (1m³)$3.99$4.02+1%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.37$1.46+7%
Waste collection (monthly)$21$20.8-1%
Fitness club (monthly)$80.7$79.6-1%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$13.8$15.3+11%
Men's haircut$26.9$27.1+1%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$24$26.6+11%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,837$2,070+13%

2,944 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

Keep your standard of living

Estimates for reference only — not official statistics.

Compare other cities

vs

Frequently compared