Moving to San Diego: your new-resident checklist
The official places to update your license, car, voter registration and mail after a move to San Diego, California, plus what the local weather and hazards mean for your first year. Tick things off as you go; your progress stays in this browser.
Set up mail forwarding and tell the Postal Service your new address at the official USPS change of address site. It costs a small identity-check fee online; beware look-alike sites that charge more.
New residents usually have a limited time to switch. The California DMV lists the deadline, the documents to bring and whether you need an appointment. Bring proof of your San Diego address.
Vehicle titles and registration are also handled at the state level in California. Start at the California DMV website, and update your car insurance to your new address first.
Use vote.gov's California page to reach the official state registration and deadlines.
Water, trash and recycling pickup days, parking permits and 311 requests are on the official City of San Diego website. Property tax and some records are handled by San Diego County.
California's top income tax rate is 13.3% (graduated). The average combined sales tax is 9.03%. If you moved from another state mid-year, you may file part-year returns in both.
San Diego is on Pacific Time.
FEMA rates San Diego County's natural hazard risk very high, led by wildfire, inland flooding and earthquake. Check the flood map for your address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center, sign up for local emergency alerts, and see Ready.gov for a basic emergency kit.
Learn what locals love and wish they had known on the San Diego page, and see things to do in San Diego.
Lived in San Diego for a while? Rate the city and share what newcomers should know.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change my driver's license after moving to San Diego?
Licenses are handled by the state, not the city. In California that is the California DMV. Its website lists the deadline for new residents, the documents to bring and whether you need an appointment.
Where do I register to vote in San Diego?
Start at vote.gov, the federal government's site, which sends you to the official California registration page and lists the deadlines.
Links checked October 18, 2026. Rules and fees are set by each agency and change, so follow the official site. Weather figures: NOAA 1991-2020 normals. Hazard rating: FEMA National Risk Index. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026.