When we talk about the cost of living in San Diego County, most of us already know — it’s not cheap. But a new report from United Way of San Diego County shows just how big the gap really is between what families earn and what it actually takes to make ends meet.
According to the Real Cost Measure study, a family of four in San Diego County needs about $116,000 a year just to cover the basics — housing, food, healthcare, childcare, and transportation. Yet nearly one in three households falls below that threshold.
Unlike the federal poverty level, which overlooks many real-world expenses, the Real Cost Measure paints a more accurate picture of what everyday families are facing — and why so many hardworking San Diegans are still struggling to get by.
Nancy L. Sasaki, CEO of United Way of San Diego County, discusses the findings and what they mean for our community.