CountyScore

San Diego County

California · CA

#50 in California
54.3
County Score

County Report Card

About San Diego County, California

San Diego Exceeds National Baseline

San Diego County's composite score of 52.6 surpasses the national median of 50.0, ranking in the 57th percentile nationally. The county performs solidly by U.S. standards, though California's competitive environment sets a higher bar.

Below California's Average

San Diego scores 52.6 against California's mean of 61.3, placing it in the lower tier of the state's 58 counties. The coastal county lags several inland and northern California peers on overall livability metrics.

High Incomes, Low Tax Burden

San Diego combines a strong median household income of $102,285 and an Income Score of 50.1 with the lowest effective tax rate in this group at 0.700% (Tax Score: 82.6). These assets appeal to affluent professionals and established families.

Housing Costs Among State's Highest

San Diego's Cost Score of 30.7 reflects severe housing affordability challenges: median home values reach $791,600 and rent averages $2,154 monthly, the highest in this group. Critical data on safety, health, schools, and environmental quality remain unavailable.

For Affluent Families Embracing Coastal Living

San Diego suits high-earning households and those with significant assets seeking a coastal lifestyle despite premium prices. The county demands substantial purchasing power to enjoy its economic and environmental advantages.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax82.6Cost30.7SafetyComing SoonHealth76.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome50.1Risk0.3WaterComing Soon
🏛82.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠30.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼50.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡0.3
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare San Diego County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Putnam County
New York
54.2
Median income: $127,405
Los Angeles County
California
54.4
Median income: $87,760
Kankakee County
Illinois
54.4
Median income: $68,325
Hunterdon County
New Jersey
54.4
Median income: $139,453
South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
54.1
Median income: $86,266

Deep Dives

San Diego County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in San Diego County

via TaxByCounty

San Diego's rate is near national norm

San Diego's effective tax rate of 0.700% sits just below the national median of 0.714%, placing it in the middle of the national range. However, the median property tax of $5,542 far exceeds the national median of $2,690, due to San Diego's $791,600 median home value.

San Diego slightly undercuts state average

San Diego County's 0.700% effective rate is slightly below California's state average of 0.714%, making it one of the state's lower-tax counties by rate. Yet the median tax of $5,542 exceeds the state median of $4,045, reflecting the region's premium home values.

San Diego balances rate and value

San Diego's 0.700% rate is nearly identical to San Luis Obispo's 0.705% and lower than San Benito's 0.809%, though San Diego's higher median home value of $791,600 means larger absolute tax bills. The rate advantage is offset by the cost of living in the county.

Median San Diego home costs $5,542

With San Diego's median home value of $791,600, homeowners pay approximately $5,542 in annual property taxes. Including mortgage-related assessments, the total can reach $6,119.

San Diego assessments warrant review

San Diego County homeowners should assess whether their property valuations are current, as appreciation and reassessment errors can inflate bills unnecessarily. Filing an appeal request is free and could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in San Diego County

via CostByCounty

San Diego's housing costs exceed national norms

San Diego County's 25.3% rent-to-income ratio represents one of California's worst affordability rates, far surpassing the national baseline of 22.4%. Despite a strong median household income of $102,285—37% above the national average of $74,755—residents still face outsized housing burdens.

San Diego ranks among California's least affordable

At 25.3%, San Diego's rent-to-income ratio edges Riverside (24.3%) and San Bernardino (24.9%) as the worst in this survey, sitting 2.9 points above California's state average. The county's coastal premium places housing affordability among the state's sharpest challenges.

San Diego's coastal premium is unmistakable

San Diego's $2,154 median rent significantly outpaces inland neighbors Sacramento ($1,702) and Riverside ($1,814)—the $452 difference signals clear coastal pricing. Home values of $791,600 align with San Francisco's stratospheric pricing, making San Diego a coastal affordability outlier.

Housing gobbles over one-quarter of San Diego income

San Diego renters pay $2,154 monthly while homeowners face $2,484—a substantial $330 gap reflecting competitive ownership markets. At $102,285 median income, housing consumes 25.3% of earnings, the highest burden among examined counties despite above-average incomes.

San Diego: California dream with coastal premium

San Diego's lifestyle appeal comes at a price: $2,154 rents and $791,600 median homes demand above-average incomes and housing tolerance. Only high-earning professionals ($102K+) with strong commitment to coastal living should target San Diego; Sacramento and Riverside offer similar California living at substantial savings.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in San Diego County

via IncomeByCounty

San Diego earns 37% above nation

San Diego County's median household income of $102,285 significantly exceeds the national median of $74,755—a 37% premium. The county's diverse economy spanning biotech, aerospace, military presence, and tourism drives strong household earnings.

San Diego ranks among state's top earners

At $102,285, San Diego's median household income substantially exceeds California's $87,001 state average. The county ranks in the upper tier among California's 58 counties, reflecting its status as a major economic hub in Southern California.

Competing with wealthy Bay Area region

San Diego's $102,285 trails San Francisco County ($141,446) but exceeds San Luis Obispo ($93,398) and San Benito ($108,289) in a tight range. The county anchors Southern California's income profile, second only to San Francisco statewide.

Highest housing costs strain even high earners

Despite strong income, San Diego's rent-to-income ratio of 25.3% is the highest in this survey, with a median home value of $791,600. The county's desirable location and limited housing supply push costs above the typical 20% affordability threshold.

High income demands sophisticated planning

San Diego's $102,285 median income creates substantial wealth-building potential, but high housing costs require strategic financial planning. Residents should explore tax-efficient investing, diversification across asset classes, and long-term real estate strategy to maximize their economic advantage.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in San Diego County

via HealthByCounty

San Diego exceeds national health norms

San Diego residents live 80.3 years on average, surpassing the U.S. average of 80.2 years by a full year. Only 16.4% report poor or fair health, the second-best rate in this group and well below the national average of 15%. The county's health profile is among America's strongest.

Healthiest in California comparison

At 80.3 years, San Diego's life expectancy outpaces California's 78.5-year average by 1.8 years, ranking it among the state's healthiest counties. The 7.3% uninsured rate is barely above the state average of 7.2%, indicating near-universal coverage. San Diego is a beacon of health equity in California.

Outperforms all regional peers

San Diego's 80.3-year life expectancy exceeds Riverside (77.8), Sacramento (78.0), and San Joaquin (76.4), matching San Luis Obispo (80.7) and trailing only San Francisco (82.4). The 7.3% uninsured rate is lower than Riverside (8.3%) and San Bernardino (8.7%), showing strong regional leadership. San Diego's health advantage is clear.

Robust care network supports outcomes

San Diego offers 84 primary care providers and 526 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the strongest in this group. With 7.3% uninsured and broad provider access, most residents can access preventive, acute, and behavioral health care. Infrastructure and coverage alignment drive longevity.

Keep San Diego's momentum going

San Diego's health success rests partly on its 7.3% uninsured rate—close to the lowest in California. If you're part of that uninsured 7.3%, enrolling in Covered California at coveredca.com connects you to preventive care and specialist access. Sustained coverage is how San Diego stays healthy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in San Diego County

via RiskByCounty

San Diego ranks in nation's highest-risk tier

San Diego County's composite risk score of 99.71 marks it as "Very High" and places it among America's most disaster-prone counties. This score significantly exceeds California's average of 88.72, reflecting severe exposure across multiple hazard categories.

Third-riskiest county in California

San Diego ranks just behind San Bernardino and Riverside in overall state risk, driven by maximal wildfire risk (100.00), near-maximal earthquake risk (99.68), and critical flood risk (99.75). The county's dense population amplifies the impact of these natural disasters.

Far riskier than adjacent Riverside County south

San Diego (99.71) essentially matches Riverside (99.90) and San Bernardino (99.84) in overall risk, though its wildfire exposure is highest in the state at 100.00. Neighboring San Luis Obispo (95.90) faces notably lower threat levels.

Wildfires dominate; earthquakes and floods critical

San Diego's wildfire risk scores 100.00—the absolute maximum and state's highest—with annual fire seasons destroying hundreds of structures and displacing thousands. Earthquake (99.68) and flood (99.75) risks remain severe, creating overlapping disaster scenarios.

Wildfire insurance is non-negotiable in San Diego

San Diego residents face the state's highest wildfire risk and must secure wildfire coverage through their insurer or California's FAIR Plan immediately. Add earthquake coverage and verify flood insurance—this county requires the full suite of disaster protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.