San Diego CA vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
San Diego +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Westminster
8.2%
White
San Diego
50.4%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
San Diego
5.7%
San Diego +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Westminster
23.7%
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 115,546 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 37.5 | San Diego + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 8.2% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 5.7% | 1.2% | San Diego + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 4.7% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 23.7% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Westminster
$96,145
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $96,145 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $51,982 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $76,653 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 44.0% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
San Diego +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
San Diego +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 512 | San Diego + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 3234 | San Diego + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Westminster
27.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 27.7% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 18.7% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 28.6 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, San Diego is safer with a violent crime rate of 503 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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