How far is it from Mexicali to San Diego, or to Phoenix arizona from Mexicali?

Yeah im moving down there and im trying to go to college at devry. Which is located in either San diego or Phoenix az.. but since i need to live where i can afford food and rent i have to live in mexico for now and go to school in either of these cities so please tell me which one is closer. Also im pretty young im gonna turn 18 so it would help if anyone knew how much rent is down there or living an average life with a spouse would cost down in mexicali. An papers are no biggie im a us citizen born and raised in cali. Thnx you for helping!!

San Diego, is closer to Mexicali that Phoenix. San Diego is about 60 miles. Phoenix is about double that distance.
Rent, when I lived in that area, was about 100 dollars a month. That was quite a while ago, so you might want to make a visit to Mexicali, and ask around about available apartments and rental price.
Unless you are a Latino who speaks Spanish from childhood, you can expect to pay "Gringo prices" on everything. If they know your income is from this side of the border, they will raise the price on you, just because they think you are rich.
If you are planning on a wife from Mexico, expect to have to keep her expenditures in line, and do not allow her to handle the money. At least not until she learns that your money has limits.
Poor people who are not accustomed to having larger sums of money, tend to think they are rich, and spend the money less frugally than they should. Next thing you know, money that should have lasted you all month, is gone in a few days.
Also, if you try to buy things in quantities, to save money, a Mexican spouse will think that there is an unlimited amount of that thing and start giving it away to friends and/or family.
You will have to shop around for other prices on almost everything. Some things will be cheaper for you to pick up at a major grocery store chain in San Diego, other things will be cheaper in Mexicali.
Also, if you have not lived in that area, you are going to learn a new meaning for the word HOT.
Summers are nasty hot down there, averaging around 125 degrees Fahrenheit 2 months out of the year.