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San Diego is a beautiful city in Southern California, known for its sunny weather, sandy beaches, and diverse culture. It is also home to several prestigious universities and colleges, such as the University of California San Diego, San Diego State University, and the University of San Diego. The average cost of living in San Diego is around USD 1,397 per person without rent, which is 42% higher than the national average and 3% higher than the state average.
If you are an international student who wants to study abroad in San Diego, you might be wondering how much it costs to live in this city. In this blog post, we will give you an overview of the cost of living in San Diego, as well as some tips on how to save money as a student. Let’s get started.
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Cost of Living in San Diego
The cost of living in San Diego is USD 4250 and it can vary with your lifestyle, preferences, and needs. However, to give you an idea of how much you might spend on average per month as a student in San Diego, we have compiled the following table to provide you with an estimate of living costs in America’s finest city:
| Category | Average Monthly Cost |
| Living accommodation | USD 2,000 – USD 3,000 |
| Cost of Food | USD 300 – USD 400 |
| Cost of Entertainment | USD 100 – USD 200 |
| Cost of Utilities and bills | USD 150 – USD 200 |
| Cost of Transportation | USD 50 – USD 100 |
Let’s explore these living costs in San Diego further in detail:
Cost of Living Accommodation in San Diego
One of the biggest contribution in costs of living in San Diego for students is housing rent. The cost of 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre is around USD 2,861 and it varies with the type, location, size, and amenities of the accommodation. Generally speaking, living on campus is more expensive than living off campus. However, living on campus has some advantages, such as convenience, security, facilities, and social opportunities.
If you choose to live off-campus, you can either rent an apartment or a room in a shared house or flat. The average monthly rent for different types of student accommodations in San Diego is as follows:
| Type of Accommodation | Average Monthly Rent |
| Studio apartment | USD 1,500 – USD 2,000 |
| One-bedroom apartment | USD 1,900 – USD 3,600 |
| Two-bedroom apartment | USD 2,500 – USD 3,500 |
| Three-bedroom apartment | USD 3,500 – USD 5,000 |
| Private room | USD 800 – USD 1,200 |
| Shared room | USD 500 – USD 800 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Sydney: A Comprehensive Guide on Sydney’s Expense
Cost of Grocery in San Diego
Another major expense for students in San Diego is grocery. The grocery of food depends on your eating habits and preferences. Moreover it will not affect that much to the cost of living in San Diego and the average monthly cost of grocery in San Diego for a student is about USD 115. Here are some grocery items along with their monthly costs:
| Item | Monthly Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | USD 1.19 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | USD 4.05 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | USD 4.45 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | USD 4.06 |
| Apples (1kg) | USD 4.88 |
| Banana (1kg) | USD 1.83 |
| Oranges (1kg) | USD 3.21 |
| Tomato (1kg) | USD 4.41 |
| Potato (1kg) | USD 3.38 |
| Onion (1kg) | USD 2.20 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | USD 2.05 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | USD 2.38 |
The rest of the grocery items, like cheese, meat, egg, drinks, and other items, can cost you around USD 80 in San Diego.
Cost of Food in San Diego
For an outing or visiting a food Restaurant budget is around USD 22 per meal for 2 person in a mid-range restaurants, which will can affect the cost of living in San Diego. In the table below, we have demonstrated the average restaurant costs you can pay in the country:
| Type of Restaurant | Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant |
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | USD 22 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | USD 87 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | USD 12 |
Since eating out every day is expensive, you can cook your own meals at home to save money. You can also shop at local markets or discount stores instead of big supermarkets or convenience stores to reduce the cost of living in San Diego.
Cost of Entertainment in San Diego
When it comes to entertainment, San Diego has a lot of options for students, such as museums, theatres, cinemas, concerts, sports, and nightlife. The average monthly cost of entertainment in San Diego for a student is about USD 100 – USD 200, but you have to push a little bit to the cost of living in San Diego’s budget. Here are some different types of entertainment along with their monthly costs:
| Type of Entertainment | Monthly Cost |
| Museum ticket | USD 10 – USD 20 |
| Theatre ticket | USD 20 – USD 40 |
| Cinema ticket | USD 15 |
| Concert ticket | USD 20 – USD 50 |
| Sports ticket | USD 20 – USD 50 |
| Nightclub entry | USD 10 – USD 20 |
| Drink at a bar | USD 5 – USD 10 |
However, entertainment can also be a significant expense if you don’t plan ahead and budget wisely. You can save money by taking advantage of student discounts, free events, and happy hours.
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Cost of Utilities in San Diego
The basic monthly cost of utilities and bills in San Diego for a student is about USD 350 /month for a single person, which is relatively low from the cost of living in San Diego. As a student in San Diego, you will also have to pay for utilities and bills, such as electricity, water, gas, internet, phone, and TV. The cost of utilities and bills depends on the type and size of your accommodation, the number of people you live with, and your usage habits. Here are some different types of utilities and their costs:
| Type of utility | Approx Cost |
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | USD 350.14 |
| Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data | USD 70.57 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | USD 76.26 |
You can save money by choosing energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights and devices when not in use, and sharing the costs with your roommates.
Cost of Transportation in San Diego
San Diego has a convenient and affordable transportation system, with buses, trolleys, trains, and bikes that can take you around the city and beyond. The average monthly cost of transportation in San Diego is about USD 72. It is basically a price of monthly pass. Here are some different modes of transportation along with their monthly charges:
| Mode of Transportation | Approx Charge |
| Bus or trolley (one-way ticket) | USD 2.50 |
| Bus or trolley (monthly pass) | USD 72 |
| Train (one-way) | USD 2 – USD 15 |
| Train (monthly pass) | USD 72 – USD 182 |
| Bike (hourly) | USD 5 |
| Bike (monthly pass) | USD 15 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | USD 1.86 |
| Uber or Lyft (per mile) | USD 1 – USD 2 |
| Car rental (per day) | USD 30 – USD 50 |
The cost of transportation in San Diego is included in the overall cost of living, and it can also be considerable if you don’t choose the best option for your needs. You can save money by walking or biking whenever possible, buying monthly passes or discounted tickets, and avoiding peak hours or surge pricing.
Tips on Reducing the Cost of Living in San Diego
As you can see, the cost of living in San Diego can be quite high for students. But you can reduce that cost through the following tips:
- Start a part-time job or a side hustle. If you have some spare time and skills, you can earn some extra income by working part-time or doing some freelance work online.
- Create a budget and stick to it. A budget can help you track your income and expenses, set your financial goals, and avoid overspending or debt.
- Stop impulse buying and research before spending. Avoid it by researching before spending, comparing prices and reviews, and waiting for 24 hours before making a purchase.
- Get to know your surroundings and use local resources. San Diego has many local resources that can help you save money as a student like public libraries for books, computers, and internet access; the campus facilities for sports, fitness, and entertainment; the student organizations for networking and socializing; and the local markets for fresh and cheap produce.
- Stay updated with the latest offers and deals. Use coupons, vouchers, cashback apps, loyalty programs, and referral programs to get access to offers and discounts.
While thinking of staying in San Diego might be amazing, the high living costs can be a challenge. Make sure to research thoroughly the cost of living in San Diego before deciding to relocate there.
Why Choose to Live and Study in San Diego?
Being America’s finest city sure does come with its perks. Despite the high cost of living in San Diego, the city offers many opportunities for students, some of which are as follows:
- San Diego has a high-quality education system, with many academic programs and research opportunities in various fields.
- You can benefit from the professional networks and career services offered by universities and colleges.
- San Diego has a vibrant and diverse culture, with a mix of people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and lifestyles, giving you worldly exposure all in one place.
- The city is popular for its mild and sunny climate, with an average temperature of 21°C (70°F) throughout the year.
- San Diego offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for international students, along with a lot of support and resources.
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FAQs
Answer: The average cost of living in San Diego for a person is around USD 1,397 without rent. Moreover, the living expenses in San Diego can vary according to location, university, and lifestyle you choose.
The cost of living in San Diego is 44% higher than the national average and 3% more than the state average.
Ans: The average yearly salary in San Diego is around USD 55,830, and for a month, it is around USD 4,652, which is enough to live comfortably there because the cost of living in San Diego is around USD 4250.
So, this was all about the cost of living in San Diego. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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