Wealth Index
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | San Diego | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $104,186 | $96,718 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $75,489 | $68,943 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.2% | 6.0% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 20.0% | 16.9% | 13.2% |
The median household income in San Diego is about 8% higher than in California. Income has been growing faster in San Diego (6.2%/yr) than in California (6.0%/yr).
About 20% of adults in San Diego earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, higher than the California average of 17%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in San Diego, California grew by 68.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $104,186 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.2% per year.
Economic Inequality in San Diego | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | San Diego | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.577 | 0.596 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $80,673 | $73,016 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $70,273 | $63,704 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 12.9% | 12.8% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In San Diego, it is 0.577, lower than California's 0.596, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 15% more than women's income in San Diego, California. Over a 35-year career, a 15% wage gap accumulates to roughly $364,000 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in San Diego, California has narrowed from about 15% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,616 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | San Diego | California Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.4% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 19.2% | 15.5% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 21 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 43,639 people are unemployed in San Diego, California.
The average commute time in San Diego is 21 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in California.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in San Diego, California has fallen from 8.0% to 5.6% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, San Diego, California has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it somewhat better than California, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in San Diego, California.
How Rich Is San Diego, California?
San Diego has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $104,186, about 8% higher than the California average of $96,718.
What is the current median household income in San Diego, California?
As of 2023, the median household income in San Diego, California is $104,186.
What was the median household income in San Diego in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in San Diego, California was $104,186.
What was the median household income in San Diego in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in San Diego, California was $84,039.
What is the Gini coefficient in San Diego, California?
The Gini coefficient in San Diego is 0.577. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in San Diego, California?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in San Diego, California has narrowed from about 15% to 13% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,616 since 2009.