Salary comparison
Software Developers: San Diego vs Washington
San Diego, CA pays about 5.4% more for software developers on paper — $163,270 vs $154,930. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, San Diego comes out ahead by $8,340 a year in real buying power.
San Diego, CA
$163,270
$128,590
$193,980
$78.49
100
$163,270/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Washington, DC
$154,930
$123,720
$176,230
$74.49
100
$154,930/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $8,340 a year (5.4%) in favor of San Diego. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
San Diego runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Washington sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, San Diego is the better deal by $8,340 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Washington to San Diego for this role, the raise needs to beat 5.4% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do software developers earn more, San Diego or Washington?
San Diego pays $163,270 on median — about 5.4% more than Washington ($154,930). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
San Diego. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, San Diego gives you roughly$163,270 of real buying power versus $154,930 in the other city.