Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Newark, NJ?

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

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Newark, NJ?

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

How does housing cost compare between Newark, NJ and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 27.8% more expensive than in Newark, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $1,930/month in Newark, NJ.

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

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

Newark, NJ 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 Newark, NJ

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.

Newark, NJ

Population:312K

Cost Index:

100

100 = national average

Median Home:$484K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:

117

(17% above avg)

Median Home:$1.25M

Newark, NJ

The Garden State

312K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 312K residents.

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: Newark, NJ vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Newark, NJ	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%

Newark, NJ

$7,648

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$2,123

Transportation

↑ 34.7%

Newark, NJ

$1,602

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$556

Other

↓ 7.8%

Newark, NJ

$2,034

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$159

less

All Utilities

↓ 25.3%

Newark, NJ

$600

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$152

less

Healthcare

↑ 2.7%

Newark, NJ

$688

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$18.59

Groceries

↓ 0.5%

Newark, NJ

$1,165

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$6.00

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Newark, NJ: Newark Payroll Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

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$1,400

To$2,460

↑ $1,060

1 Bed

From$1,600

To$2,950

↑ $1,350

2 Bed

From$1,930

To$3,570

↑ $1,640

3 Bed

From$2,430

To$4,560

↑ $2,130

Newark, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,600–$1,610/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 Newark, NJ

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$2,381

Difference

Home Values

Newark

San Francisco

$484K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -0.4%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +30.9%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$395K - $565K

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 157% more expensive than Newark

Calculate payment - Newark Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.2K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$266

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.1%

Rate difference

Newark, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Newark, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.