Cost of living in San Diego, California (United States) is 9% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, 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 281 prices entered by 32 different people.
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| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Diego, California (United States) is 11% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 | $14 | + 42% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 | $10 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.97 | $5.05 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.22 | $1.12 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $6 | $6 | + 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.21 | $5.58 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.73 | $13 | - 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.56 | $4.32 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.77 | $2.01 | - 12% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $5.41 | $4.32 | + 25% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 | $17 | + 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.77 | $1.87 | + 48% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.77 | $2.51 | + 10% | |
| Housing | + 12% | |||
| Housing in San Diego, California (United States) is 12% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,341 | $3,032 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,699 | $2,566 | + 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $238 | $196 | + 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,619 | $2,028 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,989 | $2,308 | - 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $136 | $121 | + 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $71 | $46 | + 52% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $328 | $332 | - 1% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $112 | $133 | - 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 | $12 | + 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $29 | $34 | - 15% | |
| Clothes | + 11% | |||
| Clothes in San Diego, California (United States) is 11% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $64 | $50 | + 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $51 | $48 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $102 | $78 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $130 | $132 | - 2% | |
| Transportation | + 8% | |||
| Transportation in San Diego, California (United States) is 8% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,231 | $24,663 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.49 | $1.13 | + 32% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $74 | $68 | + 9% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $18 | $23 | - 20% | |
| Personal Care | - 8% | |||
| Personal Care in San Diego, California (United States) is 8% cheaper than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $14 | $7 | + 115% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $15 | $13 | + 10% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $124 | $221 | - 44% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.27 | $3.53 | - 7% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 | $5.09 | + 42% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.90 | $3.56 | + 38% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.16 | $1.88 | + 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $28 | $27 | + 4% | |
| Entertainment | + 8% | |||
| Entertainment in San Diego, California (United States) is 8% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Diego, California | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $62 | $69 | - 11% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 | $25 | + 16% | |
| 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 | $99 | - 4% | |
| 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 | $7 | + 13% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $510 | $375 | + 36% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.30 | $0.19 | + 54% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 | $62 | - 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 | $8 | + 24% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 9% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 281 prices entered by 32 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 07, 2023.
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For example, you would need at least $9,030 in San Diego, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $8,300 in Santa Cruz, California.
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