Cheyenne WY vs San Diego CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cheyenne
58,754
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cheyenne
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Cheyenne
37.0
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Foreign Born
Cheyenne
2.1%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Cheyenne
0.6%
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Asian
Cheyenne
0.5%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Cheyenne
8.9%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
Cheyenne
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,754 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 36.0 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 2.1% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 89.9% | 50.4% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 0.6% | 5.7% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 0.5% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cheyenne
$69,171
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Cheyenne
$41,460
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
San Diego
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Cheyenne
11.2%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cheyenne
30.0%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $69,171 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,460 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,800 | $77,230 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 5.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.2% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.0% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cheyenne
$388,590
Cheyenne +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $388,590 | $1,006,261 | Cheyenne + |
| Homeownership Rate | 70.3% | 47.6% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 222 | 503 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1522 | 2388 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
33.9%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
10.6%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
San Diego
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
12.4%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
San Diego
16.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cheyenne
13.3%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.9% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 16.5% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cheyenne
16.3 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3°F | 61.6°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.3 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cheyenne
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 3.9 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Cheyenne, WY | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 17.8 min | 25.9 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while cheyenne offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $388,590. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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