Comparing the two cities, San Diego, CA, and Raleigh, NC, provides a broad spectrum of living conditions differing in numerous aspects. From weather patterns and cost of living to employment opportunities and sporting options, each offers unique features that attract both residents and tourists. The following comparison between the two cities focuses on diverse aspects such as crime and safety, climate, economy, education, and healthcare, among others.
Distance between
San Diego, CA and
Raleigh, NC : 2,193.4 miles
San Diego's population is larger by 195%. Its population has grown by 158,211 people (12.9%) since 2000. The population of Raleigh has grown by 193,031 people (69.9%) during that time.
San Diego, CA, generally has lower crime rates compared to other large cities in the U.S., making it more appealing for both residents and tourists. While Raleigh, NC, also boasts a somewhat low crime rate, it slightly exceeds that of San Diego. However, both cities have established police departments committed to ensuring safety.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,386 registered sex offenders living in San Diego and 2,186 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in San Diego is 1,015 to 1; the ratio in Raleigh is 210 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is a lot smaller in San Diego than in Raleigh.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in San Diego is considerably higher than that of Raleigh. Housing, groceries, and transportation costs are higher in San Diego, whilst Raleigh offers more affordable options in these aspects.
Income Tax
While San Diego residents have to pay a state income tax to California, North Carolina also imposes a state income tax on its residents. However, California’s tax rates are more progressive and can reach higher percentages.
Property Tax
In terms of property tax, San Diego residents generally pay higher rates than those living in Raleigh. This is due to California's higher property values and tax rates compared to North Carolina.
Sales Tax
San Diego, California, imposes a significantly higher sales tax rate than Raleigh, North Carolina. This tax disparity might impact your purchasing power in either location.
Income
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
Estimated median household income
$93,042
$74,612
Estimated per capita income
$48,380
$44,001
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
126.4
95.1
If you make $50,000 in Raleigh, you will have to make $66,456 in San Diego to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Diego boasts diverse geographical features, featuring mountains, deserts, and beaches, providing a wide range of outdoor activities. Raleigh's geography is characterized by rolling hills and dense oak forests, providing abundant green spaces for outdoor exploration.
Both cities have reputable educational systems. San Diego is home to renowned institutions like the University of California, San Diego, and San Diego State University. Raleigh, part of the Research Triangle, hosts prominent institutions like North Carolina State University and other highly reputed research centers.
San Diego's economy is diversified, with a significant emphasis on defense, international trade, and tourism. Meanwhile, Raleigh has a robust economy rooted in technology, healthcare, education, and banking, offering diverse job opportunities.
Biggest Employers
In San Diego, some of the biggest employers are the U.S. Navy, UC San Diego, and Qualcomm. On the other hand, Raleigh's biggest employers include Duke University & Health System, Wake County Public School System, and IBM Corporation.
There were 539 building permits issued in San Diego in 2012 (88 more than in 2011) compared to 1,354 building permits issued in Raleigh in 2012 (366 more than in 2011).
In San Diego (San Diego County), 52.6% voted for Democrats and 45.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Raleigh (Wake County), 54.9% voted for Democrats and 43.5% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
San Diego
Raleigh
San Diego
Raleigh
San Diego
Raleigh
2020
60.3%
62.3%
37.5%
35.9%
2.1%
1.8%
2016
56.3%
57.4%
36.6%
37.2%
7.1%
5.5%
2012
52.6%
54.9%
45.0%
43.5%
2.4%
1.6%
2008
54.2%
56.8%
44.0%
42.3%
1.8%
0.9%
2004
46.7%
48.7%
52.9%
50.9%
0.4%
0.4%
2000
45.8%
46.1%
49.8%
53.2%
4.5%
0.7%
1996
44.1%
45.9%
45.6%
48.2%
10.3%
5.9%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
San Diego
Raleigh
San Diego
Raleigh
CATHOLIC CHURCH
25.9%
11.0%
6.7%
2.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
1.1%
9.0%
12.0%
22.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
0.7%
1.1%
1.1%
1.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.5%
0.2%
2.0%
1.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
1.1%
2.0%
1.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.4%
0.6%
2.0%
1.1%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.4%
0.4%
2.2%
0.6%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.4%
1.5%
0.6%
Weather
San Diego is known for its Mediterranean-like weather, with mild winters and warm summers, making it an attractive destination for both living and visiting. Raleigh, on the other hand, experiences a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cooler winters, which might be more appealing to some.
Weather and climate
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
Temperature - Average
64.4°F
59.8°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
74%
73.7%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
22%
44%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
80%
90%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
58%
46%
Precipitation - Yearly average
11 in
46.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
0 in
13.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
24.3%
18.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
74.8%
63.9%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
19%
13%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
75%
64%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
56%
51%
Wind speed - Average
6.9 mph
7.1 mph
Average climate in San Diego, California
Average climate in Raleigh, North Carolina
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
San Diego
Raleigh
San Diego
Raleigh
San Diego
Raleigh
San Diego
Raleigh
San Diego
San Diego
Raleigh
San Diego
Raleigh
San Diego
Raleigh
2018
101
71
0.53
0.23
11.2
4.9
32.6
27.5
0.007
N/A
N/A
14.6
10.5
9.5
0.1
0.2
2017
115
70
0.63
0.23
12.7
5.5
32.7
25.8
0.007
N/A
N/A
14.7
10.8
9.3
0.1
0.2
2016
105
80
0.46
0.23
13.0
5.6
30.4
26.9
0.006
N/A
N/A
8.7
11.4
10.0
0.1
0.3
2015
111
79
0.43
0.27
13.2
5.7
29.9
28.6
0.005
N/A
N/A
12.4
11.9
11.0
0.1
0.3
2014
105
74
0.44
0.26
11.6
6.0
31.1
29.9
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.1
11.2
0.1
0.3
2013
138
72
0.50
0.26
12.4
N/A
27.4
26.9
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.3
10.7
0.2
0.4
2012
110
80
0.53
0.28
12.7
N/A
28.0
29.7
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.6
9.5
0.2
0.6
2011
122
84
0.51
0.27
13.5
N/A
29.0
32.9
0.034
N/A
N/A
N/A
14.0
10.3
1.5
0.7
2010
109
89
0.52
0.30
14.0
N/A
29.3
32.4
0.019
N/A
N/A
N/A
13.9
10.9
1.0
1.0
2009
121
77
0.64
0.30
15.6
N/A
26.9
27.8
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
15.1
10.3
2.7
1.0
2008
127
99
0.71
0.36
16.1
N/A
28.4
32.3
N/A
N/A
67.3
N/A
N/A
12.5
2.6
1.4
2007
157
98
0.71
0.40
16.4
N/A
28.0
35.7
0.012
N/A
64.6
N/A
N/A
13.9
2.8
1.2
2006
123
90
0.81
0.44
18.9
N/A
27.1
31.9
0.056
N/A
64.8
N/A
N/A
13.5
3.4
0.9
2005
112
80
0.90
0.38
19.2
N/A
24.4
33.9
0.049
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.7
2.5
2004
120
82
0.93
0.40
18.4
N/A
25.9
28.4
0.055
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
4.6
2.6
2003
124
82
0.88
N/A
19.4
N/A
25.4
29.9
0.049
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.8
3.0
2002
125
89
0.86
N/A
20.9
N/A
25.9
36.1
0.039
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.6
2.6
2001
132
128
0.93
N/A
20.4
N/A
26.5
34.5
0.048
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.4
N/A
2000
134
115
1.02
0.64
22.3
N/A
23.8
34.1
0.054
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3.6
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
6.7%
95.1%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
5,835%
52.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
39%
18%
Transportation
San Diego offers a variety of transportation options, including the Metropolitan Transit System, Amtrak services, and biking routes. Raleigh has a reliable public bus system, the GoRaleigh, and the Triangle Transit, connecting the area's major cities.
Transport
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
Amtrak stations
1
1
Amtrak stations nearby
2
3
FAA registered aircraft
852
499
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
33
12
Means of transportation to work
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
Bicycle
0.6%
0.2%
Bus
2%
1.1%
Carpooled
9.4%
8.5%
Car alone
81.7%
87.4%
Ferryboat
0.1%
0.1%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.1%
Railroad
0.5%
0%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.3%
Walked
3.6%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
Average
27.4 min
29.4 min
Other means
22.7 min
22.5 min
Public transportation
45.7 min
39.9 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
Average
1.2
1.1
Drove alone
89.5%
90.1%
In 2 person carpool
7.6%
7.6%
In 3 person carpool
1.8%
1.4%
In 4 person carpool
0.4%
0.3%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.5%
0.6%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
Real-estate prices in San Diego are significantly higher than in Raleigh, while a large increase in housing demand leading to notable appreciation. However, the Raleigh market is also experiencing growth, though at a more sustainable rate.
Neighborhoods
San Diego is well-known for its beach communities like La Jolla and Ocean Beach, and hip urban districts like North Park and Gaslamp Quarter. Raleigh neighbors prestigious Research Triangle Park, with attractive neighborhoods like Five Points and Brier Creek.
Houses and residents
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
Houses
555,456
217,866
Average household size (people)
2.6
2.4
Median year apartment built
1980
1995
Median year house/condo built
1977
1995
Length of stay in the house since moving in
14.1 years
11.5 years
Houses occupied
521,000 (93.8%)
194,917 (89.5%)
Houses occupied by owners
251,507 (48.3%)
103,367 (53%)
Houses occupied by renters
269,493 (51.7%)
91,550 (47%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$2,096
$1,740
Median monthly housing costs
$2,044
$1,298
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$957,871
$302,120
Estimated median house or condo value
$768,800
$340,200
Median numbers of rooms
4.6
5.1
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.9
6.7
Median house price - detached houses
Over $1,000,000
$446,507
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
Over $1,000,000
$403,968
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$529,375
$170,635
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$543,091
$306,998
Median house price - mobile homes
$134,064
$31,622
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$696,014
$292,086
Median house price - All housing units
$941,291
$404,828
Median house age
42
26
Renting percentage
51.7%
46.5%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,712.6
1,901.1
House value disparities
23.6%
30.8%
Household income disparities
42.3%
45.4%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$138,584
$114,680
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$97,588
$81,716
Housing units without a mortgage
2,803 (1.6%)
1,689 (2.1%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
12,495 (6.9%)
6,627 (8.2%)
Housing units with a mortgage
177,643 (98.4%)
78,923 (97.9%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
694 (0.4%)
0 (0%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
16,654 (9.2%)
7,783 (9.7%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
11
8
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
1
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.8%
0.6%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.3%
0.5%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
San Diego
Raleigh
One, detached
43.4%
45.0%
One, attached
9.9%
14.0%
Two
1.9%
1.2%
3 or 4
6.0%
4.6%
5 to 9
9.3%
6.3%
10 to 19
7.4%
12.4%
20 to 49
6.3%
6.0%
50 or more
14.6%
9.2%
Mobile homes
1.0%
1.2%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
39,709
12,488
State government workers
29,438
19,792
Unpaid family workers
808
523
Industries and Occupations
San Diego's leading industries include biotechnology, defense, and international trade. In contrast, Raleigh is known for its technology-driven economy, with IT, biotech, and healthcare amongst its leading industries.
Both San Diego and Raleigh have a high concentration of well-regarded healthcare facilities. San Diego features the UC San Diego Health system while Raleigh has the esteemed Duke University Health System.
Health (county statistics)
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Infrastructure in San Diego includes an expansive road network, two international airports, and efficient public transit. Raleigh also has a comprehensive infrastructure, including a well-established public transportation system and Raleigh-Durham International Airport linking it to other parts of the country.
Infrastructure
Type
San Diego
Raleigh
Hospitals
26
19
TV stations
13
20
Arenas or stadiums
4
3
Bank branches located here
255
136
Bank institutions located here
40
27
Main business address for public companies
92
21
Nuclear power plants nearby
0
1
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
5
2
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
San Diego
Raleigh
1999
3,865
1,618
2000
2,257
890
2001
1,754
557
2002
2,118
510
2003
5,074
564
2004
7,646
700
2005
8,409
1,083
2006
7,551
1,097
2007
5,741
859
2008
2,876
424
2009
1,675
253
Culture and Food
San Diego offers a multicultural experience, highlighted by its Mexican-influenced cuisine and wide array of craft breweries. Raleigh, often known as the "Smithsonian of the South," boasts ample museums, art galleries, and BBQ joints, offering a unique blending of cultural exposure and southern food experiences.
Sports Teams
San Diego is home to the Padres (MLB) and previously hosted the Chargers (formerly NFL). Raleigh hosts the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL), offering captivating sports entertainment.
San Diego, CA
Raleigh, NC
