Hi {{first_name|nurse,}}
Thinking of moving for that next nursing gig? You’re not alone. California has a lot to offer, but where you choose to work can seriously change how much ends up in your bank account—and how stressed or satisfied you feel day to day.
Let’s break it down: Sacramento vs. San Diego. Both have strong hospital systems, year-round sunshine, and lots of openings. But there’s a big difference in cost, lifestyle, and how far your paycheck will stretch.
Quick RN Snapshot
Sacramento | San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
RN Hourly Rate | $63–$71 | $58–$65 |
Weekly Pay (36 hrs) | $2,268–$2,556 | $2,088–$2,340 |
Monthly Rent (1BR) | $1,600–$1,950 | $2,200–$2,600 |
Left After Rent | ~$350–$650/week | ~$150–$400/week |
Commute/Traffic | Easier, 25–35 mins avg | Slower, 35–55 mins avg |
Popular Employers | UC Davis, Sutter Health, Kaiser | Scripps, Sharp, UCSD Health |
Avg Gas Price (Dec '25) | $4.50/gal | $4.90/gal |
Grocery Cost Index | 100 (CA avg) | 111 (11% higher than avg) |
Safety Score | Moderate | Low to Moderate |
What It Feels Like
Sacramento: Slower pace, more nature, easier parking, and fewer tourists. It’s a little less glamorous but a lot more livable, especially if you want to save money or buy a house.
San Diego: Beautiful coastal views, tons of activities, better weather, and more nightlife. But it comes with tighter budgets, longer commutes, and higher daily costs.
Real Talk From Nurses
“Sac’s not flashy, but I’ve saved more here in 6 months than I did in a year in LA.”
“San Diego is stunning. But unless housing is included, it eats up most of your take-home.”
Licensing & Job Market Tips
Licensing: Both cities follow California BRN standards. No difference in processing.
Demand: Sacramento has more float pool and per diem opportunities, San Diego has more travel nurse slots with high churn.
Unions: Both cities have strong CNA/NNOC presence, but Sacramento tends to offer higher pension contributions.
Final Word
You’ll earn well either way—but if you’re moving with student loans, supporting family, or trying to save fast, Sacramento gives you breathing room. If you're chasing vibes, sunshine, and the ocean, San Diego delivers—but prepare to budget tight.
Insider Nurses Know Where the $100/Hour Jobs Are
Want $100/hour RN Pay? Here’s What Insider Finds
This is just a preview of what Insider members see in their inbox.
Every week we dig through job boards, hospital portals, and recruiter blasts so you do not have to. Insider surfaces the roles that actually hit your target rate and drops them in your inbox.
Here’s a sample from this week’s listings:
Title | Hospital/City | Hrs/Wk | Hourly Rate | LINK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RN - OR | Adventist Health Bakersfield, CA | 40 | $70-$105 | APPLY |
RN | John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital Indio, CA | 40 | $76 - $112 | |
RN - Manager | Community Medical Centers, Fresno, CA | 36-40 | $77-101 |
👀 Want the full $100/hour board?
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Get every update, every week—before these jobs fill.
Map My Pay Turns “Good Pay” Into a Clear Yes or No
A contract can sound amazing and still be a bad deal after cost-of-living.
Map My Pay shows your real take-home after taxes, rent, and local expenses before you sign or relocate.
What you can do:
Compare cities (1,000+)
Check “after rent” take-home
Sort by shifts and schedule
Find better money-to-life cities
Join nurse-only convos backed by receipts
Before you commit, download Map My Pay first.