CostIndexUSA

Grand Junction, CO vs San Diego, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableCO
Grand Junction
95.5
overall index
$1,725/mo rent
CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Grand Junction is significantly cheaper than San Diego — 17.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Grand Junction, you would need $93,700 in San Diego. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+107.5%
Grand Junction
86.4
San Diego
179.3
🛒 Groceries+12.4%
Grand Junction
96.1
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Grand Junction
104.8
San Diego
104.6
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Grand Junction
94.8
San Diego
94.6
Utilities+109.1%
Grand Junction
83.3
San Diego
174.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Grand Junction to see what you'd need to earn in San Diego to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$93,700
$13,700 more needed in San Diego

Formula: salary × (111.9 ÷ 95.5) = salary × 1.1717. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Home Price
$418,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,725
Housing Index
86.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.2×

San Diego, CA

Median Home Price
$904,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
179.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.2×

San Diego has 107.5% higher housing costs compared to Grand Junction.

Income & Job Market

Grand Junction, CO

Median Household Income
$64,700
Per Capita Income
$36,900
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
64,785
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

San Diego, CA

Median Household Income
$103,700
Per Capita Income
$59,100
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Population
1,386,932
Top Industries
MilitaryTechnologyTourismBiotechnologyHealthcare

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Grand Junction, CO
3.1×income-to-rent ratio

68% of income left after rent (median)

San Diego, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.