Home project costs in San Diego, CA
Every project we cover, priced for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro with local BLS wages and BEA price levels.
The BEA price index for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area is 111.9 against 100 for the US, which puts San Diego 6th among 300 metros we track. Goods prices, which matter most for materials, are at 108.0. BLS counts roughly 1,538,060 jobs here.
In San Diego, 38 of the 38 projects price above the national midpoint and 0 below. The biggest premiums are gravel driveway (+19%), French drain (+19%) and concrete driveway (+17%); the lowest are attic insulation (+6%), kitchen backsplash (+7%) and tile flooring (+8%). The spread comes from which trades each job uses: a labor-heavy job follows local wages, while a materials-heavy job follows the goods index.
Weather: the nearest NOAA station (San Diego Montgomery Fld, 0 miles away) shows a January average low of 46°F, a July average high of 80°F and 11 inches of precipitation a year (1991-2020 normals). For concrete pours, every month is workable; for exterior installation, every month is workable.
What local trades earn in San Diego
| Trade | Projects using it | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 25 | $23.31 | $27.49 | $34.32 | $22.66 | 1.21 |
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 23 | $28.16 | $35.19 | $46.12 | $29.12 | 1.21 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 10 | $33.08 | $40.23 | $60.44 | $28.78 | 1.40 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 7 | $29.52 | $34.86 | $45.42 | $30.67 | 1.14 |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers (47-2051) | 6 | $26.35 | $31.98 | $43.78 | $27.41 | 1.17 |
| Electricians (47-2111) | 6 | $28.90 | $36.62 | $48.92 | $30.38 | 1.21 |
| Tile and stone setters (47-2044) | 5 | $22.04 | $28.00 | $35.01 | $26.77 | 1.05 |
| Roofers (47-2181) | 5 | $28.47 | $29.90 | $35.44 | $26.65 | 1.12 |
Concrete & paving in San Diego
The 7 jobs here average +15% versus the US in San Diego, from +12% (paver patio) to +19% (gravel driveway).
| Project | Size | San Diego range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab cost in San Diego | 400 sq ft | $2,800 – $5,900 | +14% |
| Concrete driveway cost in San Diego | 600 sq ft | $4,250 – $10,800 | +17% |
| Asphalt driveway cost in San Diego | 600 sq ft | $3,500 – $8,600 | +16% |
| Gravel driveway cost in San Diego | 1,000 sq ft | $3,000 – $12,100 | +19% |
| Paver patio cost in San Diego | 300 sq ft | $3,350 – $6,100 | +12% |
| Concrete patio cost in San Diego | 300 sq ft | $1,400 – $4,600 | +15% |
| Stamped concrete cost in San Diego | 400 sq ft | $3,700 – $9,100 | +14% |
Decks & outdoor in San Diego
The 2 jobs here average +15% versus the US in San Diego, from +14% (wood deck) to +16% (composite deck).
| Project | Size | San Diego range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood deck cost in San Diego | 300 sq ft | $8,600 – $17,200 | +14% |
| Composite deck cost in San Diego | 300 sq ft | $13,900 – $27,900 | +16% |
Building & additions in San Diego
Across these 2 projects, San Diego averages +15% against national midpoints. Home addition is highest at +16% and detached garage lowest at +14%.
| Project | Size | San Diego range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detached garage cost in San Diego | 576 sq ft | $32,900 – $66,000 | +14% |
| Home addition cost in San Diego | 300 sq ft | $44,000 – $89,200 | +16% |
Doors & windows in San Diego
The 5 jobs here average +12% versus the US in San Diego, from +10% (window replacement) to +13% (patio door).
| Project | Size | San Diego range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage door cost in San Diego | 1 door | $790 – $4,100 | +11% |
| Storm door cost in San Diego | 1 door | $400 – $1,050 | +12% |
| Front door cost in San Diego | 1 door | $570 – $2,750 | +11% |
| Window replacement cost in San Diego | 10 windows | $5,000 – $16,500 | +10% |
| Patio door cost in San Diego | 1 door | $670 – $6,750 | +13% |
Fencing in San Diego
The 4 jobs here average +13% versus the US in San Diego, from +11% (vinyl fence) to +16% (chain-link fence).
| Project | Size | San Diego range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood fence cost in San Diego | 150 linear ft | $3,500 – $8,650 | +14% |
| Vinyl fence cost in San Diego | 150 linear ft | $5,000 – $10,200 | +11% |
| Chain-link fence cost in San Diego | 150 linear ft | $1,750 – $7,200 | +16% |
| Aluminum fence cost in San Diego | 150 linear ft | $4,300 – $12,900 | +13% |
Roofing & exterior in San Diego
The 5 jobs here average +12% versus the US in San Diego, from +6% (attic insulation) to +15% (vinyl siding).
| Project | Size | San Diego range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof replacement cost in San Diego | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $6,850 – $13,900 | +12% |
| Metal roof cost in San Diego | 2,000 sq ft of roof | $11,700 – $36,500 | +13% |
| Gutters cost in San Diego | 160 linear ft | $1,450 – $4,750 | +13% |
| Vinyl siding cost in San Diego | 2,100 sq ft of wall | $9,650 – $29,000 | +15% |
| Attic insulation cost in San Diego | 1,000 sq ft | $1,050 – $4,250 | +6% |
Kitchen & bath in San Diego
Across these 5 projects, San Diego averages +11% against national midpoints. Kitchen cabinets is highest at +14% and kitchen backsplash lowest at +7%.
| Project | Size | San Diego range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinets cost in San Diego | 25 linear ft | $4,750 – $16,100 | +14% |
| Shower pan cost in San Diego | 1 pan | $1,000 – $3,050 | +9% |
| Kitchen remodel cost in San Diego | 120 sq ft | $20,400 – $34,700 | +10% |
| Bathroom remodel cost in San Diego | 45 sq ft | $5,250 – $26,100 | +12% |
| Kitchen backsplash cost in San Diego | 30 sq ft | $320 – $1,600 | +7% |
Landscaping & drainage in San Diego
Across these 5 projects, San Diego averages +15% against national midpoints. French drain is highest at +19% and retaining wall lowest at +11%.
| Project | Size | San Diego range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| French drain cost in San Diego | 60 linear ft | $710 – $2,500 | +19% |
| Retaining wall cost in San Diego | 200 sq ft of wall face | $7,900 – $14,900 | +11% |
| Sod installation cost in San Diego | 1,500 sq ft | $1,700 – $3,700 | +13% |
| Sprinkler system cost in San Diego | 4,000 sq ft of lawn | $4,600 – $11,500 | +15% |
| Inground pool cost in San Diego | 450 sq ft | $41,700 – $130,000 | +15% |
Flooring & interior in San Diego
The 3 jobs here average +9% versus the US in San Diego, from +8% (tile flooring) to +11% (hardwood flooring).
| Project | Size | San Diego range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood flooring cost in San Diego | 500 sq ft | $6,100 – $13,800 | +11% |
| Laminate flooring cost in San Diego | 500 sq ft | $2,150 – $7,550 | +8% |
| Tile flooring cost in San Diego | 200 sq ft | $2,550 – $10,800 | +8% |
San Diego against its nearest metros
Averaged over all 38 projects, San Diego prices +13% against the US midpoint. Of the 6 closest metros, 1 prices higher and 5 lower. Yuma is the lowest at −8% (165 miles) and Los Angeles the highest at +13% (110 miles). These are unweighted averages of the midpoints, a rough guide to overall price level rather than a number for any one job.
| Metro | Distance | Price index | Goods index | All projects vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CAthis page | 111.9 | 108.0 | +13% | |
| El Centro, CA | 80 miles | 95.2 | 105.2 | +9% |
| Los Angeles, CA | 110 miles | 113.6 | 106.6 | +13% |
| Riverside, CA | 110 miles | 106.4 | 101.4 | +8% |
| Oxnard, CA | 165 miles | 110.5 | 105.2 | +11% |
| Yuma, AZ | 165 miles | 92.7 | 96.2 | −8% |
| Bakersfield, CA | 195 miles | 100.9 | 105.2 | +9% |