Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Los Angeles, CA?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 13.7% more expensive than Los Angeles, CA. This translates to spending an extra $1026 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Los Angeles, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Los Angeles, CA, you'd need approximately $162,308.136 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 26.1% more expensive than in Los Angeles, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $1026 more per month than Los Angeles, CA, or $12308 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Los Angeles, CA

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Los Angeles, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.0K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.3K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area

Overall Cost

↑ 13.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,026

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$12.3K

Per year

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

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$885K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:114

Median Home:$1.25M

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

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: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Los Angeles, CA	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,749/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $2,022more	26.1%
🏥Healthcare	$554/mo	$706/mo	↑ $152more	27.5%
📦Other	$1,731/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $144more	8.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,040/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $119more	11.4%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$448/mo	↓ $109less	19.6%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$2,158/mo	→ $0	0.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 26.1%

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$2,022

🏥Healthcare

↑ 27.5%

Los Angeles, CA

$554

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$152

📦Other

↑ 8.3%

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$144

🛒Groceries

↑ 11.4%

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$119

⚡All Utilities

↓ 19.6%

Los Angeles, CA

$557

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$109

less

🚗Transportation

→ 0.0%

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

same

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,910

To$2,460

↑ $550

1 Bed

From$2,135

To$2,950

↑ $815

2 Bed

From$2,660

To$3,570

↑ $910

3 Bed

From$3,370

To$4,560

↑ $1,190

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/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.

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$2,328

Difference

Home Values

Los Angeles

San Francisco

$885K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -3.4%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +13.1%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$531K - $3.01M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 41% more expensive than Los Angeles

Calculate payment - Los Angeles Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Los Angeles, 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

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

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.