Income

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Income: 55.3%
Percent of population spending less than 1/3 of their income on housing. Reflecting most recent data available (2022).

In 2021, the Income Indicator for San Diego County residents showed 55.3% of households spend less than a third of their income on housing. When more households spend less of their income on housing, overall wellbeing improves. The report below shows the following charts: Data by Year, HHSA Service Region, City and Sub-regional Areas. Simply click the report's forward or back arrow to view each chart. (Reports are best viewed and printed in Google Chrome.)

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Why We Measure Income Spent on Housing

businessman standing outside house holding coffee This indicator provides information about our community’s ability to afford basic needs. The conventional public policy indicator of housing affordability in the United States is the percent of income spent on housing. Sufficient income to cover basic living costs has a positive influence on the overall financial health and well-being of the community. High housing costs are associated with poor health outcomes, especially in children.

Housing expenditures that exceed 30 percent of household income have historically been viewed as an indicator of a housing affordability problem. Evaluations, such as the County Health Rankings, measure income spent on housing as an indicator for success.

Research, Best Practices & Logic Model – Standard of Living: Income
View research, best practices, and example of the collective impact logic model related to Income

What is Being Done

Poor financial health can often lead to diminished physical health, including higher blood pressure and depression. In addition, the average high-school graduate lacks the basic skills to manage their personal finances, including balancing a checkbook and understanding a budget. Together, we can help change these statistics and improve the financial health of our communities.

Below are five Live Well San Diego Recognized Partners who are helping to prepare San Diego County residents for financial success and independence.

Financial Wellness Wednesdays

San Diego County Credit Union is hosting Financial Wellness Wednesdays seminars in partnership with the San Diego County Library on a variety of topics aimed at improving financial health. Topics include: Ten Simple Steps to Financial Success; Building a Better Budget; Rebuilding After a Financial Crisis; Teens & Money; 30 Ways to Trim Your Budget; and many more.

Financial Wellness Wednesdays Schedule

Enhancing Your Financial IQ

The San Diego Financial Literacy Center helps San Diego County residents improve their financial understanding through informational videos, educational seminars and workshops, and one-on-one financial coaching. They focus on educating youth (K-12 and college), military (active, transitioning and veteran), and low-to-moderate income persons about how to manage their money. Their flagship program called Smart With Your Money Financial Opportunity Clinics are clinics that are custom built for each person seeking financial coaching.

Learn more about Financial Opportunity Clinics

United We File

The United Way of San Diego County partners with the Community Action Partnership in the County of San Diego's Health and Human Services Agency and the IRS to lead the San Diego EITC Coalition. This coalition consists of partners throughout the region that offer free tax preparation for lower-middle income working families and individuals (households earning $66,000 or less) in San Diego County through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC can help reduce your tax liability and, in many cases, put money in your pocket.

In 2018, over 31,000 unique households were served through the Coalition’s efforts, bringing back 40 million dollars in State and Local refunds, including 14 million dollars in EITC.

Learn more about the Earned Income Tax Credit

Coasting to Financial Wellness

California Coast Credit Union is committed to helping San Diego County residents understand and manage their financial resources. They provide a variety of free financial workshops and tips ranging from preparing for retirement to optimizing a business plan.

Learn more on the California Coast Credit Union website.

Junior (Major) Achievements

Junior Achievement of San Diego teaches kids, from kindergarten through high school, skills that are commonly not addressed in school. These include career awareness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy though various innovative and hands-on programs. A few include:

With 30 staff members and over 6,000 volunteers, Junior Achievement positively impacted 65,000 students in San Diego during the 2017-2018 school year.

Learn more about Junior Achievement’s programs

Expanded Indicators Related to Income

Click here to learn more about related indicators, including poverty rates, at the Live Well San Diego Children and Families Data Hub.

Other related indicators such as Per Capita Income, Median Household Income, Checking Accounts, Savings Accounts, and Retirement Savings Plan are reported below. The report below shows the following charts: Data by Year, HHSA Service Region, City and Sub-regional Areas. Simply click the report's forward or back arrow to view each chart.

To print, click on Full Screen Mode (double-headed arrow, bottom right). Right-click on the desired report page and select print. (You may need to adjust setting to print "Background graphics".) For additional assistance, please contact us.

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