Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than New York, NY?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 17.3% more expensive than New York, NY. This translates to spending an extra $1295 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in New York, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in New York, NY, you'd need approximately $165,535.714 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between New York, NY and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 27.8% more expensive than in New York, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $3,590/month in New York, NY.

How much can I save per month by moving from New York, NY to San Francisco, CA?

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $1295 more per month than New York, NY, or $15536 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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New York, NY

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in New York, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.5K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↑ 17.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,295

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$15.5K

Per year

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

New York, NY

Population:8337K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.05M

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:117

Median Home:$1.25M

New York, NY

The Empire State

8.3M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Most populous city in the US
•Major global financial center
•World-renowned cultural hub

Major Industries

FinanceReal EstateTechnologyMedia

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: New York, NY vs San Francisco, CA

Category	New York, NY	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,648/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $2,123more	27.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,602/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $556more	34.7%
📦Other	$2,034/mo	$1,875/mo	↓ $159less	7.8%
⚡All Utilities	$600/mo	$448/mo	↓ $152less	25.3%
🏥Healthcare	$688/mo	$706/mo	↑ $18.59more	2.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,165/mo	$1,159/mo	↓ $6.00less	0.5%

🏠Housing

↑ 27.8%

New York, NY

$7,648

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$2,123

🚗Transportation

↑ 34.7%

New York, NY

$1,602

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$556

📦Other

↓ 7.8%

New York, NY

$2,034

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$159

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 25.3%

New York, NY

$600

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$152

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 2.7%

New York, NY

$688

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$18.59

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.5%

New York, NY

$1,165

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$6.00

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

New York, NY: NYC Income Tax$5,689/yr (3.8%)

San Francisco, CA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$3,120

To$2,460

↓ $660

1 Bed

From$3,270

To$2,950

↓ $320

2 Bed

From$3,590

To$3,570

↓ $20.00

3 Bed

From$4,500

To$4,560

↑ $60.00

New York, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,260–$3,990/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.

$13,737

Monthly in New York, NY

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$2,381

Difference

Home Values

New York

San Francisco

$1.05M

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -0.1%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↓ -5.9%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$471K - $3.49M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 18% more expensive than New York

Calculate payment - New York Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $1.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$90.26

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.7%

Rate difference

New York, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

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

New York, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

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.