CostIndexUSA

Midland, TX vs San Diego, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableTX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent
CA
San Diego
111.9
overall index
$2,875/mo rent

Midland is significantly cheaper than San Diego — 16.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Midland, you would need $93,400 in San Diego. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+76.7%
Midland
101.5
San Diego
179.3
🛒 Groceries+15.1%
Midland
93.8
San Diego
108
🚗 Transportation+3.5%
Midland
101.1
San Diego
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+3.5%
Midland
91.4
San Diego
94.6
Utilities+109.4%
Midland
83.2
San Diego
174.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$93,400
$13,400 more needed in San Diego

Formula: salary × (111.9 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.1681. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

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 76.7% higher housing costs compared to Midland.

Income & Job Market

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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).

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.