08.24.2023

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Today’s Forecast

📊 San Diego by the numbers

The cost of living in San Diego

A woman in a white hat walking in from of the Greetings from San Diego mural.

A city this nice has a price. | Photo via @virroylola

With San Diego constantly growing and undertaking multiple high-profile developments this year, we figured we should look at the current cost of planting some roots in America’s Finest City.

The median household income in San Diego County is $89,457 according to the US Census Bureau. California has the sixth-highest median income of US states at ~$84,907 per household.

The overall cost of living in San Diego is higher than the national average, and higher than the rest of the state.

San Diego Cost of Living bar chart — Cost of living in San Diego compared to state and national costs.
|
Chart uses data from bestplaces.net

In San Diego, the cost of health care is lower than other parts of the state and the US. However, the cost of groceries, housing, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses have above-average costs compared to the rest of the US. Those expenses also exceed California’s averages, except for transportation.

Breaking down the numbers

Hypothetically speaking, if you live in a household that brings in $50,000 annually – according to experts — you shouldn’t spend more than 30% of your monthly gross income on rent and utilities. Don’t worry, we did the math for you — your max monthly budget would be $1,250. The average monthly rent for an apartment in San Diego is $3,016 — more than doubling that allowance.

According to a recent study by Attom Data Solutions, it’s actually more affordable to rent in San Diego County than to buy a home. As of July 2023, a single-family home sold for an average of $969,020.

Our costs compared to LA

Asked

What would you tell someone who is considering moving here about the cost of living?

A. Prepare yourself for sticker shock - it’s expensive
B. Prices are reasonable - not exorbitant, not cheap
C. This is a really affordable city to live

Let us know

Events

Thursday, Aug. 24

Twilight in the Park Concerts | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Spreckels Organ Pavilion, 2125 Pan American E. Rd., San Diego | Free | Navy Band Southwest performs the season’s final show.
Jaguar Sun | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 7 p.m. | House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., San Diego | $18 | The indie musician has his moment on the downtown SD stage.
“42nd Street” | Through Saturday, Sept. 2 | 8 p.m. | Moonlight Amphitheatre, 1200 Vale Terrace Dr., Vista | $14-$58 | This musical celebrates the glitz and glam of Broadway and Times Square during the 1930s.

Friday, Aug. 25

Open Mic | Friday, Aug. 25 | 5-10 p.m. | Quartyard, 1301 Market St., San Diego | Free | Step right up — all poets, bands, singers, rappers, comedians, and instrumentalists are welcome to take the mic.
Darius Bennett | Friday, Aug. 25 + Saturday, Aug. 26 | 6:30 + 8:30 p.m. | Grand Comedy Club, 340 E. Grand Ave., Escondido | $17 | The comedian known for appearances on Netflix and Comedy Central performs with guests Brandon Vestal and Alberto David Mercado.
Piano Men: Billy Joel and Elton John Edition | Friday, Aug. 25-Sunday, Aug. 27 | Times vary | California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. | $25-$65 | This show pays tribute to the “Piano Man” and the “Rocket Man.”

Saturday, Aug. 26

Philippine Cultural Arts Festival | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. | Balboa Park, 1549 El Prado, San Diego | Free | Head to Presidents Way Park for a celebration of Filipino culture with dance, music, food, and art.
Summertime Shine | Saturday, Aug. 26 | 1:30-9:30 p.m. | Fiesta Island, 1590 E. Mission Bay Dr., San Diego | Free | Dance to a diverse lineup of DJs and performers on the northwest section of the island.

Sunday, Aug. 27

Bike the Bay | Sunday, Aug. 27 | 7 + 8 a.m. | San Diego Bay, 200 Marina Park Way, San Diego | $80 | Let’s roll: This 25-mile, non-competitive course cruises around the Coronado Bridge and San Diego Bay via the Bayshore Bikeway.
Fermenting the Fruits of Summer Workshop | Sunday, Aug. 27 | 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Maya Moon Collective, 3349 Adams Ave., San Diego | $54-$59 | Learn how to make probiotic-rich, gut-healthy fermented dishes with the many fruits of summer — and you get to take home a jar of pickles or chutney.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Weather

Here comes the sun. San Diego can expect to dry off this weekend following last weekend’s storm. Today’s temps are expected to be slightly below average — though there’s a small chance of rain in desert areas. Then, sun and gradual warming are expected through Tuesday.

Civic

Mayor Todd Gloria announced the City of San Diego secured ~$25 million in taxpayer money that will be used to enhance safety and public amenities. The funds will be allocated to 17 community projects, with the largest grant being given to the Fleet Science Center expansion.

Outdoor

The Corpse Flower at the Walter Andersen Nursery in Poway is getting ready to come alive. The nursery purchased the rare-but-smelly, plant in 2018, and this will be the first time it blooms. The event only lasts a couple of days, and it’s free to visit the store. (CBS 8)

Environment

Wet weather from Tropical Storm Hilary has increased local sightings of frogs, crayfish, and bugs. Generally, these critters are harmless — though crayfish can pinch if disturbed. Experts advise homeowners to dry pockets of moisture on their properties, as they can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. (ABC 10)

Coming Soon

San Diego County will get its first small-form Macy’s store this November at Santee Trolley Square. The new location will offer a similar shopping experience to the brand’s larger department stores, but will be condensed into a 30,000-50,000 sqft space for faster shopping. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

Ranked

San Diego ranked moderately low on Insider Monkey’s list of the 30 drunkest cities in America this year. The city placed No. 27, based on reported rates of excessive drinking from health organizations when looking at cities with populations greater than 200,000. (Insider Monkey)

Today Is

National Waffle Day, and San Diego is full of better options than sandy Eggos. We recommend you iron out a brunch trip to celebrate — we spot waffles at Hash House A Go Go, Atypical Waffle Company, and Morning Glory.

State

💡 The coolest things come from San Diego

What’s the coolest thing made in California?

This is where Ballast Point manufactures its beers. | Photo by FASTILY via Wikimedia Commons.

The California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) announced its Coolest Thing Made in California contest this week, asking Golden State residents to share their picks for the snazziest local products.

That question got us thinking: What’s the coolest thing made in San Diego? Because the coolest thing made in SD is obviously the coolest thing made in the entire state — not like we’re biased.

Anything that goes through a manufactured process is eligible to be nominated — from locally brewed beer like Ballast Point Brewing’s Swingin’ Friar Ale to the wireless innovations that come from Qualcomm.

Let us know what local product gets your vote, and be sure to head to the CMTA website before nominations close on Thursday, Aug. 31, to submit your choice.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Good morning, San Diego. I was so happy to watch Ha Seong-Kim hit his career-first grand slam on Monday, and it made me even more excited for the remainder of the season. We have a streak of seven consecutive home games heading our way starting Thursday, Aug. 31, through Wednesday, Sept. 6 — and there’s still time to grab tickets.

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