Best Hospitals in San Diego (2026)
San Diego punches well above its weight in hospital quality. With six 5-star CMS-rated facilities, the city rivals metros many times its size. The combination of UC San Diego Health, Scripps Health...
San Diego punches well above its weight in hospital quality. With six 5-star CMS-rated facilities, the city rivals metros many times its size. The combination of UC San Diego Health, Scripps Health, and Sharp HealthCare gives San Diegans strong options at every quality and price tier.
This guide ranks San Diego hospitals using CMS star ratings, cost-to-charge ratios, and price transparency data — real numbers from federal sources and hospital filings.
Top 5 Hospitals in San Diego
| Hospital | CMS Rating | Cost-to-Charge | Priced Procedures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scripps Green Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.15 | 106 |
| Sharp Coronado Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.20 | 140 |
| UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | N/A | 121 |
| Sharp Memorial Hospital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.16 | 140 |
| Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 0.16 | 140 |
Understanding the Rankings
CMS Star Ratings
San Diego's hospital landscape is exceptional. Six facilities earn 5 stars, mostly within the UC San Diego Health system (Jacobs, Moores, Sulpizio) plus Scripps Green and Sharp Coronado. The 4-star tier includes Sharp Memorial, Sharp Chula Vista, Kaiser Permanente Clairemont Mesa, and two Kaiser-affiliated facilities. Only Sharp Grossmont (3-star) pulls down the average.
Cost-to-Charge Ratio
Scripps Green offers the best value among 5-star hospitals with a 0.15 cost-to-charge ratio. Sharp hospitals are competitive at 0.16–0.20. Sharp Grossmont (3-star) sits at 0.18. These ratios are relatively moderate compared to East Coast academic centers, reflecting California's competitive hospital market.
Price Transparency
Sharp HealthCare leads transparency with 140 priced procedures at each facility — consistent across the system. UC San Diego publishes 121 procedures per campus. Scripps Green publishes 106. Kaiser publishes 116 but operates a closed HMO model.
Best Value Hospitals in San Diego
- Best overall: Scripps Green Hospital — 5-star with 0.15 cost-to-charge ratio and 106 priced procedures
- Best 5-star transparency: Sharp Coronado Hospital — 5-star with 140 published prices
- Best 4-star value: Sharp Memorial or Sharp Chula Vista — both 4-star with 0.16 ratio and 140 priced procedures
- Best academic option: UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center — 5-star academic center with 121 published prices
- Most predictable pricing: Kaiser Permanente San Diego — HMO model means upfront cost clarity for members
Price Comparison: Common Procedures in San Diego
- Lab work (CBC, metabolic panel): $15–$200 depending on facility and insurance
- CT scans: $300–$3,500 in the San Diego metro
- MRI: $400–$4,000+ — freestanding imaging centers are 40–60% cheaper
- ER visits: Facility fees from $600 at smaller facilities to $2,000+ at major hospitals
Compare real prices at Taven's price comparison tool.
San Diego Hospital System Overview
- UC San Diego Health — Academic flagship with three 5-star facilities (Jacobs, Moores, Sulpizio). Cutting-edge specialty care and research.
- Scripps Health — Nonprofit system with Scripps Green (5-star) and multiple campuses. Known for cardiology and cancer care.
- Sharp HealthCare — San Diego's largest system with Coronado (5-star), Memorial and Chula Vista (4-star), Grossmont (3-star), plus specialty facilities (Mary Birch for women, McDonald Center).
- Kaiser Permanente — Clairemont Mesa and Zion campuses (4-star). Closed HMO model with predictable costs for members.
- Rady Children's Hospital — Top-ranked pediatric hospital (not on adult CMS scale).
Why San Diego Hospitals Excel
San Diego's high concentration of 5-star hospitals is notable. Several factors contribute: strong competition between three major systems (UCSD, Scripps, Sharp), a relatively affluent and health-conscious population, and California's robust healthcare regulations. For patients, this competition means better quality and more pricing options than many metros.
Tips for Choosing a Hospital in San Diego
- You have excellent options. With six 5-star facilities, focus on which is in-network and most convenient.
- Sharp offers the best transparency. 140 priced procedures consistently across all locations makes it easier to compare costs upfront.
- Scripps Green is the best value 5-star. At 0.15 cost-to-charge ratio, it offers top quality with relatively modest markups.
- Compare prices before scheduled procedures. Use Taven's comparison tool with real San Diego data.
- California has strong patient protections. Including surprise billing protections and patient rights laws.
- Ask about charity care — nonprofit hospitals like Scripps, Sharp, and UCSD must offer financial assistance.
- Get a Good Faith Estimate before any planned procedure.
- Review your bill. Use our free bill review tool to catch errors.
How We Rank Hospitals
Our rankings use CMS Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, cost-to-charge ratios from CMS cost reports, and price transparency compliance data. We don't accept advertising from hospitals. Learn more about our methodology.