

Los Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CA
San Diego, CA comes out ahead of Los Angeles, CA on 27 of 34 statistics where one end is better, to 7. San Diego, CA leads on Crime & Safety and Economics.
34 statistics with a better end, compared
Each counts once for the place that ranks better. Totals that mostly track population are left out.
- Wins
- 7
- Avg. percentile
- 35
- Categories led
- 0
- Wins
- 27
- Avg. percentile
- 50
- Categories led
- 2
At a glance
Headline statistics, each ranked among all US cities.
| Statistic | Los Angeles, CA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,863,148 2nd of 477 | 1,410,522 8th of 477 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $81,939 151st of 434 | $108,077 68th of 434 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $921,200 392nd of 434 | $906,700 391st of 434 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 16.5% 271st of 434 | 11.0% 131st of 434 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 113.6 tied 423rd of 460 | 111.9 tied 417th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $77,270 tied 61st of 460 | $79,060 tied 54th of 460 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,933 352nd of 434 | $2,313 395th of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 667.7 309th of 395 | 372.3 191st of 395 |
By category
Average percentile on each category's widely ranked statistics.
- Crime & SafetySan Diego, CA · 5 statistics
- EconomicsSan Diego, CA · 14 statistics
Biggest differences
The 19 statistics where their rankings differ most, among rankings of at least 239 US cities.
| Statistic | Los Angeles, CA | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Burglary Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 308.4 275th of 395 | 145.4 117th of 395 |
| Murder Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 5.8 263rd of 395 | 1.7 119th of 395 |
| Average Commute (Minutes)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 30.7 396th of 434 | 23.5 244th of 434 |
| Price Level (Other Services)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 104.4 tied 413th of 460 | 99.6 tied 265th of 460 |
| Poverty Rate (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 16.5% 271st of 434 | 11.0% 131st of 434 |
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 667.7 309th of 395 | 372.3 191st of 395 |
| Homes with Broadband Internet (%)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 92.6% 172nd of 434 | 95.2% 69th of 434 |
| Property Crime Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 2,235.5 246th of 395 | 1,539.0 157th of 395 |
| Median Household IncomeHousing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $81,939 151st of 434 | $108,077 68th of 434 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate (per 100K)Crime Rates by City (FBI) | 518.8 348th of 395 | 297.6 275th of 395 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher (% of Adults 25+)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | 38.5% 167th of 434 | 51.0% 87th of 434 |
| Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $1,933 352nd of 434 | $2,313 395th of 434 |
| Price Level (Utilities)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 158.6 tied 419th of 460 | 174.2 tied 453rd of 460 |
| Median Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $55,850 tied 87th of 460 | $58,690 tied 70th of 460 |
| Price Level (Goods)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 106.6 tied 411th of 460 | 108.0 tied 437th of 460 |
| Average Annual Wage, All JobsAverage Wage by City (Metro Area, BLS) | $77,270 tied 61st of 460 | $79,060 tied 54th of 460 |
| Price Level (All Items)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 113.6 tied 423rd of 460 | 111.9 tied 417th of 460 |
| Price Level (Housing Rents)Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities) | 170.4 tied 414th of 460 | 179.3 tied 434th of 460 |
| Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census) | $921,200 392nd of 434 | $906,700 391st of 434 |
Quick answers
- Which is better, Los Angeles, CA or San Diego, CA?
- San Diego, CA comes out ahead of Los Angeles, CA on 27 of 34 statistics where one end is better, to 7. San Diego, CA leads on Crime & Safety and Economics. Statistics where neither end is better, and totals that mostly track population, are not counted.
- Which has more people, Los Angeles, CA or San Diego, CA?
- Los Angeles, CA has a population of 3,863,148 (2nd of 477 US cities) and San Diego, CA has 1,410,522 (8th of 477).
- How do Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA compare on Median Household Income?
- Median Household Income: Los Angeles, CA $81,939 (151st of 434), San Diego, CA $108,077 (68th of 434) among US cities. San Diego, CA ranks better.
- How do Los Angeles, CA and San Diego, CA compare on Median Home Value (Capped at $2M)?
- Median Home Value (Capped at $2M): Los Angeles, CA $921,200 (392nd of 434), San Diego, CA $906,700 (391st of 434) among US cities. San Diego, CA ranks better.
- Where does Los Angeles, CA beat San Diego, CA most clearly?
- Los Angeles, CA ranks far ahead on Median Rent (Monthly, Capped at $3,501) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): $1,933 vs $2,313; Price Level (Utilities) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 158.6 vs 174.2; Price Level (Goods) (Cost of Living by City (Metro Price Parities)): 106.6 vs 108.0.
- Where does San Diego, CA beat Los Angeles, CA most clearly?
- San Diego, CA ranks far ahead on Burglary Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 145.4 vs 308.4; Murder Rate (per 100K) (Crime Rates by City (FBI)): 1.7 vs 5.8; Average Commute (Minutes) (Housing, Income and Commutes by City (Census)): 23.5 vs 30.7.
More matchups
Other comparisons with Los Angeles, CA or San Diego, CA.
- Austin, TX vs Los Angeles, CA
- Charlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CA
- Columbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CA
- Dallas, TX vs Los Angeles, CA
- Denver, CO vs Los Angeles, CA
- Detroit, MI vs Los Angeles, CA
- El Paso, TX vs Los Angeles, CA
- Austin, TX vs San Diego, CA
- Charlotte, NC vs San Diego, CA
- Chicago, IL vs San Diego, CA
- Chula Vista, CA vs San Diego, CA
- Columbus, OH vs San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX vs San Diego, CA
- Denver, CO vs San Diego, CA
- Detroit, MI vs San Diego, CA