San Diego CA vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
San Diego
5.7%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 119,508 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 40.2 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 50.4% | 44.0% | San Diego + |
| Black | 5.7% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 2.5% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 24.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $69,261 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $44,508 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $65,328 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 14.8% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 37.6% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
29.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 29.1% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 13.7% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.0% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | 75.4°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | 62.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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