Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 94.7% more expensive than Philadelphia, PA. This translates to spending an extra $7100 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Philadelphia, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Philadelphia, PA, you'd need approximately $235,197.628 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Philadelphia, PA and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 322.5% more expensive than in Philadelphia, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $1,660/month in Philadelphia, PA.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $7100 more per month than Philadelphia, PA, or $85198 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Philadelphia, PA

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Philadelphia, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $7.1K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $235.2K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↑ 94.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$7,100

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$85.2K

Per year

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

Philadelphia, PA

Population:1584K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$241K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:195

Median Home:$1.25M

Philadelphia, PA

The Keystone State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Birthplace of America
•Cheesesteak city
•Major East Coast hub

Major Industries

HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturing

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: Philadelphia, PA vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Philadelphia, PA	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,313/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $7,458more	322.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,421/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $738more	51.9%
⚡All Utilities	$607/mo	$448/mo	↓ $158less	26.1%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $100more	5.7%
🏥Healthcare	$607/mo	$706/mo	↑ $99.13more	16.3%
🛒Groceries	$1,104/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $54.96more	5.0%

🏠Housing

↑ 322.5%

Philadelphia, PA

$2,313

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$7,458

🚗Transportation

↑ 51.9%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,421

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$738

⚡All Utilities

↓ 26.1%

Philadelphia, PA

$607

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$158

less

📦Other

↑ 5.7%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,774

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$100

🏥Healthcare

↑ 16.3%

Philadelphia, PA

$607

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$99.13

🛒Groceries

↑ 5.0%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,104

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$54.96

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Wage Tax (resident)$5,625/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$1,280

To$2,460

↑ $1,180

1 Bed

From$1,390

To$2,950

↑ $1,560

2 Bed

From$1,660

To$3,570

↑ $1,910

3 Bed

From$1,990

To$4,560

↑ $2,570

Philadelphia, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080–$2,280/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.

$7,826

Monthly in Philadelphia, PA

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$8,292

Difference

Home Values

Philadelphia

San Francisco

$241K

Median Value

$1.25M

↑ +2.8%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +9%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$71K - $855K

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 417% more expensive than Philadelphia

Calculate payment - Philadelphia Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $6.0K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$502

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.0%

Rate difference

Philadelphia, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

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

Philadelphia, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.