San Diego residents cite cost-of-living pressures and housing affordability as their primary concerns, according to the “San Diego Vital Signs” survey released ahead of the November elections. The poll, which surveyed 800 county residents, highlights widespread financial strain as households grapple with rising expenses.
Economic Pressures and Housing Costs in San Diego County
According to a UCSD political science professor who helped lead the research, about 41 percent of survey respondents identified cost of living, affordability, and housing as the biggest problems facing the county in a forced-response question, as reported by NBC 7 San Diego.
Wayne Crosby, a San Diego resident interviewed by NBC 7 San Diego, noted that a two-bedroom apartment that rented for $560 a month 25 years ago now commands between $2,500 and $3,000 monthly. Crosby stated that wage growth has failed to keep pace with these increases, forcing many residents to take on multiple jobs or secure roommates just to survive.
Household Budgets and Changing Consumer Habits
The survey findings reveal that 65 percent of San Diegans have cut back on groceries to make ends meet, according to NBC 7 San Diego. Longtime resident Mark Brugman told the outlet that his wallet feels the steady upward pressure on everyday expenses.
The survey indicates that 18 percent of participants lack confidence in their ability to afford living in San Diego County over the next five years. Furthermore, 22 percent reported they are seriously considering leaving the region altogether.
Future Outlook and Ongoing County Polling
When researchers asked participants whether the county would be a better or worse place to live in five years, only 26 percent answered that the area would be better off, according to findings published by NBC 7 San Diego.
To track these economic sentiments over time, the San Diego Vital Signs project will conduct monthly polls leading up to the November election. The ongoing research aims to capture shifting perspectives on housing, immigration, local government, and the cost of living across the county.