2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
San Diego, CA vs Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Carmel-by-the-Sea or is it cheaper to live in San Diego?
- Carmel-by-the-Sea is 1.9% less expensive than San Diego.

Which city has more affordable housing, Carmel-by-the-Sea or San Diego?
- Carmel-by-the-Sea housing costs are 134.1% more expensive than San Diego housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in San Diego or is Health Care more affordable in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
- Health related expenses are 61.5% more in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
 San Diego, CACarmel-by-the-Sea, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock151.9100
 Food & Groceries109.7  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock143.7100
 Housing278.4  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,916,200$338,100
 Utilities103  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock103.7100
 Miscellaneous153.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for San Diego    319 Reviews

I have lived in San Diego for more than half my life (I am 30) and love it. It has something for everyone and more from arts, to sporting events, and all cuisine is  More

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The only real knock again San Diego is the cost of living, but it is paradise compared to most cities of similar size. Those who complain about the traffic here or say  More

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I have lived in San Diego since 1968 and I am now almost 62 years old. I love San Diego, I really do. But it has become so crowded and so expensive over the years. It  More

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Reviews for Carmel-By-The-Sea    3 Reviews

Over 9 years ago

Climate, cost &  More

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carmel has about 60 vacation homes and a dense cottage-y downtown. basically it is a tourist trap cental business district and a bunch of vacation rental homes. the  More

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Over 17 years ago

Liberals have run me out of town. The political is so overwhelming I am looking to relocate. However, if you are an aging hippie with a great deal of money you will be  More

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