Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Boston, MA?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 32.2% more expensive than Boston, MA. This translates to spending an extra $2416 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Boston, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Boston, MA, you'd need approximately $178,993.289 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 85.2% more expensive than in Boston, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $3,865/month in Boston, MA.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $2416 more per month than Boston, MA, or $28993 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Boston, MA

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Boston, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.4K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $179.0K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↑ 32.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,416

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$29.0K

Per year

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

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$961K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:132

Median Home:$1.25M

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

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: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Boston, MA	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,275/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $4,496more	85.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,830/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $328more	17.9%
⚡All Utilities	$716/mo	$448/mo	↓ $268less	37.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $79.94more	7.4%
📦Other	$1,825/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $50.22more	2.8%
🏥Healthcare	$743/mo	$706/mo	↓ $37.17less	5.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 85.2%

Boston, MA

$5,275

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$4,496

🚗Transportation

↑ 17.9%

Boston, MA

$1,830

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$328

⚡All Utilities

↓ 37.4%

Boston, MA

$716

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$268

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 7.4%

Boston, MA

$1,079

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$79.94

📦Other

↑ 2.8%

Boston, MA

$1,825

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$50.22

🏥Healthcare

↓ 5.0%

Boston, MA

$743

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$37.17

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$3,095

To$2,460

↓ $635

1 Bed

From$3,255

To$2,950

↓ $305

2 Bed

From$3,865

To$3,570

↓ $295

3 Bed

From$4,630

To$4,560

↓ $70.00

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/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.

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$4,649

Difference

Home Values

Boston

San Francisco

$961K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +7%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$709K - $3.40M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 30% more expensive than Boston

Calculate payment - Boston Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$261

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.1%

Rate difference

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.