Increasing living costs in San Diego are pushing some workers to rent more affordable homes in Tijuana and commute daily.
Amy McKee, who works as a warehouse inventory clerk, used to pay $1,200 monthly for a room in a shared house in San Diego. Now, she spends only $400 for a one-bedroom apartment in Tijuana and travels to the U.S. each day for work.
She mentioned, “I don’t think, ‘Oh my God, I can have a better life here.'” This reflects her perspective on moving to Tijuana, as highlighted by journalist Helen Chao.
McKee’s routine includes waking up, taking an Uber to the U.S.-Mexico border, crossing on foot, and then hopping on the San Diego trolley to get to work.
Another local employee, a securities manager in his 40s, noted that the change has reduced his anxiety. “When I lived in San Diego, it was always stressful,” he recalled, sharing his worries about potential car troubles and fuel costs for commuting.
Vered Familia, a safety engineer at a shipyard, faced high rents in San Diego, paying over $2,100 for a one-bedroom apartment. Now in Tijuana, she finds a five-bedroom place for just $550. At 27, Familia decided to return to her hometown, struggling to make ends meet previously.
“I was trying to stay out of debt,” she explained, acknowledging the challenge of living on a tight budget.
Zachary Gabriel, a manufacturing engineer, starts his workday at 2 a.m. to dodge lengthy border lines and ensure he arrives by 6 a.m. at his job. His move to Tijuana felt necessary for his family’s survival. “I’m the only one who can provide for my wife and children,” he stated.
Despite Tijuana offering lower rental rates, Baja California, where it’s located, is under a Level 3 travel advisory due to economic struggles and safety concerns. The median rent in San Diego has soared to about $3,100 and can reach as much as $7,500 in popular neighborhoods. Last year, it was ranked the ninth most expensive city in the U.S., according to a report.
Californians face some of the highest living expenses statewide, making it the costliest state in the country. Nonetheless, residents are drawn to Tijuana due to its significantly lower rent, even as the area faces serious socio-economic challenges. Tijuana, unfortunately, grapples with a high murder rate, recording 1,807 homicides in 2024, while San Diego had just 71 that same year.
