San Diego
California

What stands out

Three things set San Diego County apart from the other 3,142 counties: natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (100 of 100), the median home price is among the priciest in America ($946K), and the typical two-bedroom rent is among the highest in America ($2,068 a month). Within California it ranks 7th of 58 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in San Diego County, California. 3,289,701 people live here with you, which makes it one of the country's big urban counties. The population held steady at 0.2% last year.

California's 13.3% top income-tax rate applies only to income above roughly $1 million, and Proposition 13 caps property-tax growth at 2% a year for as long as you own the home, so long-time owners pay far less than new buyers on identical houses. Wildfire risk now drives insurance availability in much of the state, and several major carriers have stopped writing new homeowner policies.

Money

The typical household here brings in $96,974 a year, higher than 96% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $82,854. Unemployment runs 3.4%, higher than 51% of American counties. 15% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

California takes 5.6% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,457 a year.

Home

The median home costs $946K, pricier than almost every county in America, about 6.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $2,068 a month. Property tax is 0.72% of home value, roughly $5,214 a year on that median home, lower than 63% of American counties. 54% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 73% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 80.8 years, longer than 94% of American counties. There are 13,472 active physicians in the county, about 41.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.9 of 5 stars. 6.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.01 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 58% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 13 points. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under California law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 64°F, highs near 77 and lows near 51, warmer than 80% of American counties. About 12 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 100 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 51 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 261 Mbps down, faster than 80% of American counties. There are 28 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 156 breweries, 67 museums, 1 National Park Service site.