What to Expect When You PCS to San Diego

Sunny San Diego sits along miles of beautiful coastline just north of the U.S./Mexico border and is a dream PCS destination for many military families.

Military installations in San Diego:

* Camp Pendleton is located nearby just 38 miles north of downtown San Diego.

San Diego Housing and Commuting Options

Despite hundreds of homes available throughout 25 privatized military communities in the San Diego area, the demand for military rentals and homes for sale remains large, particularly as the warm and welcoming city attracts so many military families back after the end of their military career.

Organized as a city of villages, San Diego offers a variety of housing options, but you should expect a commute to work. According to the 2023 American Community Survey, the average commute in the U.S. is 26 minutes each way. And San Diego is not far behind, with an average commute of almost 25 minutes.

If you’ve lived in other big cities where public transportation has allowed you to live further from work to save time and money, know that this isn’t one of those cities. The primary mode of transportation is by car. Three to five percent commute by bike, and about 10 percent commute by bus. The trolleys aren’t an option for those located outside of downtown, and given that the average commute by bus is 125 minutes (eek!), including walking to the bus, waiting for the bus, and the ride itself, it isn’t a good option for most military families either.

PCS to San Diego 2 Photo from Canva

San Diego houses can be a little pricey. The average family spends 30 to 35 percent of their income on their mortgage or rent. And though military families calculate housing expenses differently than civilian families, keep this figure in mind if you plan to rent or sell after you PCS from the area.

As for rental prices, the average price for a three-bedroom apartment is approximately $3,787/month, while it costs about $400 to $600 per square foot to buy a similar apartment. Take a look at the BAH rates for the area to get a better idea of how much you can expect to spend on housing in San Diego.

Some sample BAH rates include:

E-1 with dependents: $3,579
E-1 without dependents: $2,684
E-9 with dependents: $4,491
E-9 without dependents: $4,101
O-1 with dependents: $3,939
O-1 without dependents: $3,153
O-7 with dependents: $5,334
O-7 without dependents: $4,404

Wondering what your current San Diego BAH rate will be? Find out with our BAH calculator.

Military Spouse Employment

Thousands of businesses and jobs in the city are directly related to the defense industry. Home to much of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego also houses many defense contractor companies. As with Orlando, Florida, the defense industry has taken up residence in a tourist haven, as cruise ships and the city’s many attractions entice tens of millions of tourists annually.

As of 2024, the unemployment rate in San Diego sits at 4.9 percent which is lower than the unemployment rate of 4.2 throughout the U.S, making this a better than average location for military spouses to find employment.

Things to Do in San Diego

Though known for its impeccable coastline, the beach isn’t the only great geographical attraction in San Diego. One of the predominant features of the San Diego landscape is its hills, which make for great hiking. San Diego also has one of the best park systems in the U.S., making it an attractive place for military families who love the outdoors.

Photo from Canva

But don’t overlook the man-made attractions. With incredible shopping, exquisite restaurants, and places like Legoland, Sea World, the San Diego Zoo & Safari Park, Balboa Park, and more, the opportunity for fun and adventure is limitless.

Learn more about this amazing area!

Download MilitaryByOwner's free Military Family Guide to San Diego to find out everything you need to know before you make the PCS move to this exciting golden state city.