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

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 12.0% cheaper than San Francisco, CA. This translates to saving $902 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Francisco, CA, you'd need approximately $139,172.589 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 20.7% cheaper than in San Francisco, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA.

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

Moving from San Francisco, CA to Los Angeles, CA could save you approximately $902 per month, or $10827 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

San Francisco, CA

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Francisco, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $902/month moving to Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $139.2K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 12.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$902

Savings

Annual Impact

$10.8K

Per year

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

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.25M

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:88

Median Home:$885K

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

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

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: San Francisco, CA vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	San Francisco, CA	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$9,771/mo	$7,749/mo	↓ $2,022less	20.7%
🏥Healthcare	$706/mo	$554/mo	↓ $152less	21.6%
📦Other	$1,875/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $144less	7.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,159/mo	$1,040/mo	↓ $119less	10.3%
⚡All Utilities	$448/mo	$557/mo	↑ $109more	24.4%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$2,158/mo	→ $0	0.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 20.7%

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$2,022

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 21.6%

San Francisco, CA

$706

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$152

less

📦Other

↓ 7.7%

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$144

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.3%

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$119

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 24.4%

San Francisco, CA

$448

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$109

🚗Transportation

→ 0.0%

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

same

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,460

To$1,910

↓ $550

1 Bed

From$2,950

To$2,135

↓ $815

2 Bed

From$3,570

To$2,660

↓ $910

3 Bed

From$4,560

To$3,370

↓ $1,190

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/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.

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$2,328

Difference

Home Values

San Francisco

Los Angeles

$1.25M

Median Value

$885K

↑ +3.7%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↓ -7.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$693K - $2.12M

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 29% less expensive than San Francisco

Calculate payment - San Francisco Calculate payment - Los Angeles

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

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

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

Additional Tax Information

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Los Angeles, 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.