A new survey called “San Diego Vital Signs” checked in with hundreds of people across the county to get a snapshot of issues that matter to San Diegans.
NBC 7 heard from Dr. Wong, a UCSD political science professor who helped lead it.
One of the main takeaways from the survey is that the biggest concern for many San Diegans is the economy. Many of them expressed concern about housing affordability and uncertainty about the future.
“The cost of living, gas prices, just the overall economy of how much it costs to live here, but I guess we pay for what we get, the perfect weather,” Wayne Crosby said.
Researchers surveyed 800 San Diego residents to get a pulse on issues that matter to them.
The survey asked about issues like housing, homelessness, and immigration.
“When asked what the major issues are in the county, and this was sort of forced response,” said Dr. Wong. “About 41 percent say cost of living, affordability, and housing are the biggest problems facing the county.”
The findings also revealed 65 percent of San Diegans are cutting back on groceries to make ends meet.
Mark Brugman has lived in San Diego for over 70 years and said his wallet feels the effects.
“All our costs just keep going up,” Mark Brugman said.
Wayne Crosby said 25 years ago, housing was affordable, but a lot has changed.
“A two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment maybe was a little east county, but still it was $560 per month and now that same apartment is going for $2,500 or $3,000,” Crosby said.
He said prices go up but wages do not, making it hard for San Diegans to keep up.
“A lot of people have to get roommates or they have to work two jobs, three jobs just to be able to survive,” Crosby said.
The survey also found that 18 percent of San Diegans don’t feel very confident they will be able to afford living in San Diego County in the next five years and 22 percent said they are seriously considering leaving the county altogether.
“When we sort of asked people, what do you think about the future, five years from now? Is the county going to be a better or worse place to live in,” said Dr. Wong. “Twenty six percent think the county will be better off in five years,”
San Diego Vital Signs will poll monthly through the November election and continue capturing a snapshot of the county’s cost of living, housing, immigration, and local government.