San Diego vs Montgomery: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in San Diego, California compare to Montgomery, Alabama? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Montgomery is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 452% higher in San Diego compared to Montgomery, while rent is 103% higher. State income tax is 13.3% in CA vs 5% in AL.
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Montgomery, AL | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $783,300 | $141,900 | +452.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,080 | $1,026 | +102.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $98,657 | $54,166 | +82.1% |
| Per Capita Income | $51,368 | $31,549 | +62.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 13.3% | 5.0% | +166.0% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | 9.2% | -5.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 1,383,987 | 199,819 | +592.6% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — San Diego
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Montgomery
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in San Diego costs $783,300 compared to $141,900 in Montgomery — a 452% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $2,080/mo in San Diego vs $1,026/mo in Montgomery.
- Income: Median household income is $98,657 in San Diego and $54,166 in Montgomery.
- Taxes: State income tax is 13.3% in California vs 5% in Alabama.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).