San Diego CA vs Washington DC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Washington
13.3%
White
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Washington
39.1%
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 672,079 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 13.3% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 39.1% | San Diego + |
| Black | 5.7% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 4.1% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 11.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 6.5% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 14.5% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 41.1% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Washington
24.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 24.6% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 24.0% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 9.7% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 32.8 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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