Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Bellevue, WA?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 18.7% more expensive than Bellevue, WA. This translates to spending an extra $1399 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Bellevue, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Bellevue, WA, you'd need approximately $166,786.931 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bellevue, WA and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 49.2% more expensive than in Bellevue, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $2,539/month in Bellevue, WA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bellevue, WA to San Francisco, CA?

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $1399 more per month than Bellevue, WA, or $16787 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bellevue, WA vs San Francisco, CA: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

Current salary in Bellevue, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.8K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↑ 18.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,399

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$16.8K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Bellevue, WA

Population:152K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$1.46M

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:

119

(19% above avg)

Median Home:$1.25M

Bellevue, WA

The Evergreen State

152K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 152K residents.

💡 Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bellevue, WA vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Bellevue, WA	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
Housing	$6,547/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $3,224more	49.2%
Transportation	$1,833/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $325more	17.8%
Healthcare	$810/mo	$706/mo	↓ $103less	12.8%
Groceries	$1,060/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $98.83more	9.3%
Other	$1,907/mo	$1,875/mo	↓ $31.90less	1.7%
All Utilities	$472/mo	$448/mo	↓ $24.37less	5.2%

Housing

↑ 49.2%

Bellevue, WA

$6,547

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$3,224

Transportation

↑ 17.8%

Bellevue, WA

$1,833

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$325

Healthcare

↓ 12.8%

Bellevue, WA

$810

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$103

less

Groceries

↑ 9.3%

Bellevue, WA

$1,060

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$98.83

Other

↓ 1.7%

Bellevue, WA

$1,907

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$31.90

less

All Utilities

↓ 5.2%

Bellevue, WA

$472

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$24.37

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,105

To$2,460

↑ $355

1 Bed

From$2,178

To$2,950

↑ $772

2 Bed

From$2,539

To$3,570

↑ $1,031

3 Bed

From$3,319

To$4,560

↑ $1,241

Bellevue, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,050/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$12,629

Monthly in Bellevue, WA

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$3,489

Difference

Home Values

Bellevue

San Francisco

$1.46M

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -2%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +42.9%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$1.01M - $1.63M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 15% less expensive than Bellevue

Calculate payment - Bellevue Calculate payment - San Francisco

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Bellevue, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

San Francisco, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Bellevue, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.