The Basic Costs of Living in San Diego (This Be Crazy)

How much do basic living expenses cost in a place like San Diego? I'm collab'ing with a few debt free KZbinrs to discuss our expenses in different locations across the country. I'm covering how much my living expenses are for a family of two (soon to be three with our first baby due!) in a 2 bed/2bath apartment in San Diego, California.
Check out all of these collab videos below!
Marissa Lyda - • the actual cost of liv...
Lydia Senn - / highfivefourthree21
Kristin Stones, Cents and Purpose - • COST OF LIVING in PA, ...
Kelly Smith, Freedom in a Budget - / @freedominabudget
Sarah Wilson, Budget Girl - / @budgetgirl
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[@houserau]

I was surprised by your rent. For some reason I thought it was much higher. The rent wasn’t very high to me tbh but I grew up and live in Montgomery County, MD and a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment with a lot of amenities you listed ranges from 2400-3000. Depends on the specific city, but it is high. I also love your neighbors advice and so true.

[@Marilynefc]

Omg I’m from Montgomery county Maryland too! And I just moved to San Diego. My one bedroom one bathroom with washer/dryer and no central AC is 2500 . It’s a condo someone is renting

[@kellyshults6590]

Hello, I also live in San Diego and I love it!! We moved from the Midwest 8 years ago and we adjusted. We bought our place 4 1/2 years ago and we changed a lot in our budget to be able to pay off the house earlier. I also shop at Costco, but I love Aldi for some specific things (30% less than any other grocery store). Ralphs used to be my favorite, but I need to drive more than 10 miles to get there, so I changed my preference. One suggestion, when you have your place, have solar and combine with a plug in car that will save a tons in a long haul, we are doing it and we spend $40/month (we paid off the solar and the car in 1 1/2 year). I found out that SD is expensive in terms of housing and gasoline, the rest is very similar to my place in OKC. Thank you for your video!

[@jordanwilliams9300]

I LOVE what you said about COL in a metropolis you love. I'm a Chicago area native and I adore it. We get to enjoy all 4 seasons, a world-class metropolitan arts scene, incredible social and ethnic diversity, and a healthy balance of 21st-century industries. I adore it, even after the property taxes!

[@Noah-pk7tf]

Do you adore the crime rate

[@Drew-vw1mn]

@@Noah-pk7tf I was gna say Chicago is such a massive shit hole lmao, humid dirty ass city.

[@willzbillzfam]

Thanks for sharing your numbers! Very helpful. We live in Alaska and surprisingly have compareable numbers. Too bad the weather isn't as nice...

[@jondstewart]

I live just outside of Anchorage in Eagle River and living here is dirt cheap compared to San Diego, except for food. My brother in law lived there almost his whole life spending the last 5 years flipping houses to make ends meet, then moving to Florida. I love the weather there, but spent a little over a week there twice in the summertime and highs of 75 and lows of 60 and eternal sunshine for old really fast! I like more robust weather and going skiing in the winter time!

[@mahjabeengardencenter129]

Very good , honest and clear breakdown of expenses. We live in Toronto our future plan to settle in San Diego.

[@williamjohnson1302]

We are from Kansas city and really want to move to San diego,so it's nice to see a real couple that has done it 👍because all you hear is how expensive it is and your break down shows it's not that bad. Especially with how much we would have on gas/electric ,right now it's 300 a month in kc

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

It's totally doable! You just have to be mindful of your budget especially when it comes to rent/mortgage payments.

[@emilyyeager5748]

My husband is originally from SD. We are currently in Oklahoma (where I'm from). We plan to move to this Summer and we can't wait. We know it will be a huge financial jump, but for our souls and mental health. We cannot wait to be there. We are moving with our two boys and currently looking to purchase a home. We are nearly debt free minus our house. We have about $3500 left on a medical debt and THAT'S IT! Thank you for this video. Love your channel.

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

That's so so awesome! So wait, you're moving to SD?!?

[@emilyyeager5748]

@@DebtFreeMillennials yep! Looking for houses now! Waiting on my husbands transfer currently, but plan to move by the end of June.

[@iwontreplybacklol7481]

Sounds like a bad plan. Unless you are moving to SD with a fat bank account, it isnt going to be fun after long. I know, I tried it, wish someone had talked me out of it.

[@emilyyeager5748]

@@iwontreplybacklol7481 I’m sure for some who don’t plan it right, it would suck, but we know what to expect and have planned for it all. Thanks for the positivity. Best of luck!

[@TheRealLydiaSenn]

Coming in with the therapy line item!! I love it. #normalizetherapy

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

YES! It has been such a game changer for me.

[@KristinStones]

Love seeing these and would love to have therapy in my budget but I just can’t find someone I like. I really, really would love to live in Cali but mannnn that rent 😩😩😩 Glad we got to do this video together!

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

I found my therapist on PsychologyToday.com and they have a ton of therapists listed by zip code and most tell you their pricing. Worth every Penny! Yeah the rent (and home prices for that matter) are insane. But we still love it here!

[@KristinStones]

@@DebtFreeMillennials I’ll check that out, thanks!

[@ErikaBardere]

7:28 was exactly what I needed to hear, thank you

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

I got you 🙂

[@jondstewart]

Who would’ve thunk living comfortably on $130,000 a year household income would take some strategy, even in California? What have we come to? Median household income in the U.S. today is about $70,000 a year and about 25% have incomes of $130,000 or more. When I was visiting SD last month, I talked to an elderly man on Mission Beach who’s lived in San Diego since his family came from Mississippi as a child and he bought a home in 1970 for $25,000 and lived in it every since. In today’s $$$, that’s about $170,000, but his home is probably worth over a million now. It’s sad and sickening how so many great parts of the U.S. have inflated housing prices!

[@yangiemouie]

Hi! I found you through the collab. I already follow the other ladies so I’m so happy to have found you and be able to support you and your channel.

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

I really appreciate that! So glad you found the channel :)

[@Ceci921]

I'm also in SD, I lived in the city proper for a few years but bought my first place (1/1 condo) in 2014 because rents kept skyrocketing and knew I would be forced out if I didn't buy. I sold that 2 years ago to put a larger down payment on a new home about 15-20 minutes away from the downtown. Our mortgage now for a 3bd+loft w/ 2.5ba is $2,325. I feel like for every dollar saved the price goes up a buck so until you finally buy it's always just grasping at straws.

[@Destinee.marthe]

What town are you located now? I’m looking into moving San Diego not far from downtown.

[@freedominabudget]

So fun seeing how CA compares to FL!

[@karad8]

Great video! My husband and I live in San Diego and we have similar expenses. Sometimes I think I'm addicted to the chase of living as cheap as possible. We are working on becoming single income and giiirrrrl let me tell you 😂🤣. Our transportation costs are triple what you have because of commuting . I was hoping that would have changed with the pandemic but 🤷‍♀️. We can't seem to get under 100 dollars a month on that. I'm happy we are able to save as much as we are but when i see how much room my housing takes up in the budget it makes me sad. We are most likely going to leave SD and California because we aren't satisfied with the housing here even though we are blessed to own in this beautiful city. Thanks for sharing your expenses!! You also validated me in our grocery line item. I always thought I was overspending but our costs are similar . Thanks!!

[@teresamunoz91]

I also live in California, but I live in Alhambra, which is close to Pasadena. Average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment here would be about $1,600-$1,800. I only spend about $150-$200 a month on groceries for my 2 year old daughter and myself

[@JDjee5]

Hi Teresa I’m your neighbor here In Monterey Park. Yes that price sounds about right for apartments and to rent a 2 bedroom house with a decent yard is like 2.5-3k 🥴.

[@kamahina943]

I like that, your income will rise to the occasion. I agree 100%. If you want something hard enough or need something, you'll make it happen

[@eeeveee9176]

i just moved to texas about a year ago. but the weather is awful. cant do much outdoors! we are thinking of moving but to CA but in San Diego! we been there twice its beautiful!

[@yankinwaoz]

My niece and her hubby are renting an apartment in Northpark, which is great for them. They are also millennials. Their mom and I have been telling them they should buy a home now, even if they have to leave Northpark. But they tell us that they don't believe in owning property. Something about how they don't want to be part of the corrupt capitalist system or something. Makes no sense to me. I told her that mortgages aren't going to get any cheaper than now. They can get a 30 year fixed for less than 3%. What more do they want? Arrrgh. Drives me nuts. I've showed them condos in La Mesa, Clairemont, Linda Vista, and even down in CV that I think they can afford. Nope. Not at all interested. I'd like to show them some old homes that need work to buy. But her husband is clueless around tools. When I was his age, 30, I rebuilt a house from the foundation up. I still even have all of my tools. They have no interest in building sweat equity. I own a house in Encinitas (north of San Diego). My mortgage payments are less than their rent. I point out to them that 20 years from now my mortgage will be paid off and their rent will have doubled. I ask them where do they want to be in 20 years? Paying double rent? Or having a fixed mortgage, deep equity, and an end to the mortgage in site. They gotta start somewhere. Wadda going to do? Kids these days. (For those not from San Diego. Northpark is a hipster neighborhood here. Lots of restaurants and cafes to walk to. I call it "NoPark" because there is literally no place to park on the street. Which is why I avoid going there now.)

[@mbell9555]

A lot of us learn our lessons the hard way. I know I did! I was against buying until I got older and put more thought into my financial future. They will come around, they are just in that phase of not wanting to be tied down.

[@Ceci921]

Haha! No Park....I love it!

[@PicklesFiona]

I grew up in north park when it wasn’t hipster, just old ladies and young families!

[@bethanynissen]

This is very interesting. I’ll have to compare our budget to yours (we live in Oklahoma and are a family of 5). I think the most surprising was the grocery category.

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

Your expenses are prob way cheaper than mine!

[@pswish2163]

Good video. Considering moving there, but concerned about the home prices. Family of 5.

[@mraqua3]

Born and raised millennial in SD here, yeah it is really expensive here but it's worth it. Are you planning on staying in SD after the baby comes and buying a place? The real estate market is nuts right now but hopefully you can get into a SFH in a good school district and take advantage of the low interest rates. I think getting the down payment is the hardest thing but looks like you are well on your way and congratulate you on planning accordingly.

[@askvictoria4689]

I think you meant to say “$2,800 per month” not year. Wish that was the case! Everyone would be moving to San Diego if the rent was $2,800 per year. 😅

[@BackroadMoney]

The rent was high, but everything else seemed fairly normal. I live in a pretty expensive area also. Oregon

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

I think so, too! It's pretty comparable to other places. You just have to accept the high rent prices 😂

[@iwontreplybacklol7481]

I just lived in my car in San Diego. No way I was paying those rental prices. Forget about ever affording a home there on a regular working career type salary. Since moved to another state, half the rent for a far better and bigger place, salary increased 25% instantly for the same career. I can even have the hope of homeownership! San Diego is ok, but the good areas cost a fortune and most are priced out and the crap areas I don't want to live and its not even worth the prices.

[@justinbieber12373]

Remember the WIZARD OF OZ, You ain't in KANSAS ANYMORE.. Love that movie.

[@saboabbas123]

I wonder in what part of San Diego you live. The closer to the beach, the cooler the temps and the higher the rent/housing costs. I can find an apartment for $1000/month in Santee or El Cajon, but the temps are hot in the summer and the area is much less diserable than say Point Loma or Mission Valley.

[@jondstewart]

I haven’t been to those areas. Do they have tract home neighborhoods built in the 1980s and newer? Every single house in San Diego is at least 50 years old unless it’s an apartment complex or in a very rich neighborhood in the El Cajon area. My brother in law purchased a very run-down fixer upper for $600,000 a few years ago, flipped it, then moved to Florida after living in San Diego almost all his life.

[@JoshIsOnAMission]

I lived in CA for a 7 years and rent will always be crazy compared to anywhere else. Car insurance was low though. What’s your secret? I feel like I tried every company and it was always like 120 the lowest.

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

You're right - the rent will always be crazy! OMG you have to check out my video on car insurance. I lay it all out step by step what I did to get it reduced. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3evk2mNlq6VhLM

[@JoshIsOnAMission]

@@DebtFreeMillennials ohhh yess!! will def check!

[@Shubhamgerman]

First of all, thank you for your informational videos about San Diego. I'm moving to SD in a couple of months from Cleveland, OH and find your videos very helpful. 🙏🏼 Would you please suggest a couple of good neighborhoods to look for apartments there? Thank you!

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

That's awesome to hear and welcome to the west coast! It really depends on where you'll be working, and what kind of vibe you are looking for, as well as your budget! North Park or Pacific Beach is great for younger crowds, but if you want close access to the beach, check out Ocean Beach. There's also downtown and Hillcrest which is LGBTQ friendly. You really can't go wrong!

[@princesskaitlinhazelwood4703]

Wow congratulations on your baby

[@chiosaetern9207]

I live in northern Cali and my mortgage is what kills us

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

I totally get that! How much is yours?

[@chiosaetern9207]

@@DebtFreeMillennials mortgage insurance and everything $3,870

[@arthuntley8551]

Good video the rent was the most surprising to me. I want to move to San Diego , I’m a truck driver but I’m afraid trucking jobs out there won’t pay enough to cover the cost of living ... if anyone knows please let me know! Thanks!

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

I have found that most salaries adjust for the high cost of living.

[@arthuntley8551]

@@DebtFreeMillennials thank you for that what I’ve seen so far is the 40k range and in my mind I’m like after taxes rent food, one probably wouldn’t have much of a life... but I’m not sure I will continue to research. Thanks for the great videos

[@bgreen4485]

Hi! Found this through the collaboration. I applaud the courage it takes to put it all out there for all to see. We all split things differently, so some of your categories were interesting. I was most surprised by your tithe amount. Maybe it's something that you are just starting. My understanding has always been that "tithe" means a tenth. I know some people struggle with that when then are barely making ends meet. We have always found that when we honor God with what is rightly His, he honors us. Best to you!

[@jondstewart]

Tithing is a scam preachers use to guilt their congregations so they can either make ends meet or get rich. God doesn’t need your money; everything is his in the first place. I pay my covenant church $250 a month. I think that’s generous enough. AND there are some advocates that looked into it more deeply that it’s more about giving away stuff and just 1%. And it’s only OT teaching.

[@b.a.hunter5546]

The Golden West hotel downtown 500 a month

[@vermindigital1297]

We will be moving to San Diego in about 6 months. Our combined income is about 130k. Family of 4. Can you suggest areas you’d recommend moving that are safe? We don’t mind renting a townhome or apartment

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

There are a ton of great neighborhoods that are safe! Depending on your needs and job requirements, I would look at suburbs like El Cajon, Mira Mesa, or Kearny Mesa. You could also opt for something closer to the water like Imperial Beach or Mission Valley.

[@candacebrady3039]

Just found your channel + can I say that they are already super helpful! Hashtag: KZbin Saturday Morning Plans!

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

Yay! Thanks for joining :)

[@maximilian9295]

500 on groceries? I cant imagine that, for 2 people? You have sprouts, trader joes, Aldi, really, why so much?

[@iwontreplybacklol7481]

$10 a day is easy to do if you eat organic and non processed foods. I lift weights regularly to keep healthy and eat the cheapest meat (chicken breast) and with rice and organic veggies to meet my calorie needs, spend $10 a day so easy, but heck even one fast food meal cost that nowadays, but I am getting far more superior nutrition for my dollar. If you want to eat a bunch of junk food and get cheap calories, having to pay for medications and medical bills due to health issues is a lot cheaper than eating nutritiously.

[@ronsfade8122]

great advice

[@crookedbiden9788]

I paid 160.83 for low income rent my water bill is 13.50 for low income water bill I paid 65 dollars for low income electric I live in pa my cellphone is around 90 dollars

[@bo.of.paradise9688]

How do you manage to keep your gas budget below $40?

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

We only have one car and I work from home. My husband goes into the office about 3x a week so that helps, too.

[@bo.of.paradise9688]

@@DebtFreeMillennials ahh I see, thank you! :)

[@dzim8822]

What are you and your husband doing that you are able to budget 10K a month after taxes? You'd have to making at least 180k a year before taxes. Do you have a lucrative business? Are you doctors? Probably less than 10% of people in SD are making that kind of money.

[@PreeminentbrandsNet]

I think ahead meant 2800 a month not a year. You can't spend 250 a month and live no where

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

Yes I did 🫢

[@JohnWick-su2nh]

$5000 is a mortgage payment these days. For me San Diego is worth it.

[@love_evann]

I already do

[@jesuschristsaves392]

The Gospel of salvation of our souls: 💜💕❤️❤️❤️💕💖❤️💖❤️📖✝️🕎💡💡❤️❤️💞💜💕For what I received I passed on to you as of [first importance]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time,

[@livingunashamed4869]

Is water/sewage included in your rent?

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

Yes, water and trash is included in our rent

[@Tinkerbell9087]

I’m surprised at how little you pay for car insurance. I’m in Washington and I pay almost $200 but that’s for full coverage and all of the accident add ons.

[@jondstewart]

I’ll give you all the rundown of San Diego myself as having been a visitor but never a resident, My brother-in-law that has showed me around the city. First, the cost of living sucks and is ridiculously high. The end! Unless you’re a millionaire or lived in the place your whole life, there’s difficulty! Restaurants. Nothing but good food all over the place! There’s Las Cuatro Milpas in Barrio Logan that’s been around since the 1930’s. Best Mexican food I ever had! Cafeteria style place open only during lunch. Chicken Pie Shop near the zoo serving all-American comfort food. A Korean fried chicken shop at a strip mall across the highway from that huge Mormon church, forgot the name of it. I could go on and on. I love it, but couldn’t live there full-time.

[@youseennothing8432]

I'm new to your channel! Thanks for sharing. Any plans to move?

[@ridered7262]

Ummmmm 2,800 a month not a year otherwise everybody would be living there.

[@master-kq3nw]

California is good

[@Preciousmiller1]

If one of you get sick you will have problem, save buy house out San Diego, Ca Born raise in San Diego, Ca most my life. Left few years ago work long hours until had no life , save your money buy house live better life then your money being waste Dow the toilet. Buy house, enjoy life. San Diego,CA not worth cost rent. Since I left been so happy work 8hours not 16hours a day only see my bed, since your having child, your going to use allot money for that child and the stress it out on your marriage, good luck if u stay.

[@justinbieber12373]

You from Texas ? Y'all Come to NEW YORK , you couldn't get what you have for less than 10g. EVERYTHING is Relative . Forget food delivery, lots of great Farmers Markets in SD. HOMLESS POPULATION DOUBLED from the time of your video. I wonder why ??? PS : GET ready to buy a nice house , but wait untill 2023 . Watch what happens. GREAT TIMING for your family. 🍷

[@crystaldon4995]

Isn't gas.like $5.00 a gallon there?? INSANE

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

Yes it is. Before the pandemic we saw prices drop to $3 per gallon.

[@madihjorth8164]

The rich people can only live and afford California nowadays!😭😭💔

[@Lilazn216]

I'm here too will never be able to afford my own place hahaha >

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

😆😆we have been saving for a down payment since 2017! Housing out here is nuts

[@Lilazn216]

@@DebtFreeMillennials haha I'm going to be 50 before I can get one lol!!! I'm 35 now with 5k left in debt. Almost there

[@jesuschristsaves392]

🙏💕😭“Heavenly Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen

[@isaigr12]

Me watching this thinking to move to SD or La with my 45K salary :')

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

It’s possible but you’d have to sacrifice some things to make it happen!

[@justinTime077]

Will San Diego chew me up and spit me out at $17 an hour? Is anything better about 45 min away from SD? Greetings Justine, I am Justin! I’m always looking for girls named Justine. You’re a rare lot.

[@aziac4448]

And I thought Nashville was expensive ... Wow !

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

Oh yeah.. San Diego is one of the most expensive cities to live in but I think San Fran or NYC have us beat.

[@levihamilton5760]

Comment for the algorithm :)

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

😎😎

[@171corey]

Am I first?

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

Yup! 👍

[@jenniferwhite6621]

That rent is like wooooowww!

[@roxyjinks9643]

Your rent 😱

[@DebtFreeMillennials]

ughh I know

[@princesskaitlinhazelwood4703]

OMG your rent is crazy