Cost of living in San Diego, California (United States) is 13% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 251 prices entered by 34 different people.
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| Food | + 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Diego, California (United States) is 8% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 | $16 | + 24% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 | $9 | + 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.05 | $6 | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.10 | $1.20 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $7 | $5.05 | + 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.23 | $6 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 | $8 | - 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.99 | $3.25 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.22 | $1.48 | + 49% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.33 | - | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 | - | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.75 | - | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.50 | - | - | |
| Housing | + 46% | |||
| Housing in San Diego, California (United States) is 46% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,230 | $1,589 | + 103% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,709 | - | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $196 | $212 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,371 | $1,328 | + 79% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,800 | - | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $111 | - | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 | $53 | + 21% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $308 | - | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $110 | - | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 | - | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $31 | - | - | |
| Clothes | - 52% | |||
| Clothes in San Diego, California (United States) is 52% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $57 | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $55 | $158 | - 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $95 | - | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $124 | - | - | |
| Transportation | + 6% | |||
| Transportation in San Diego, California (United States) is 6% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,894 | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.42 | $1.00 | + 42% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 | - | - | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 | - | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in San Diego, California (United States) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $11 | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $15 | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $124 | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.27 | - | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.90 | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.16 | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $28 | - | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in San Diego, California (United States) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $62 | - | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 | - | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $239 | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $95 | - | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $17 | - | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.88 | - | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 | - | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $521 | - | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.30 | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $55 | - | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 | - | - | |
 |
TOTAL | + 13% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 251 prices entered by 34 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 30, 2023.
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For example, you would need at least $4,864 in San Diego, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $4,300 in Arcata, California.
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