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

Based on cost of living data, New York, NY is 14.7% cheaper than San Francisco, CA. This translates to saving $1104 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in San Francisco, CA, you'd need approximately $136,751.269 in New York, NY to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in New York, NY is 21.7% cheaper than in San Francisco, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,590/month in New York, NY compared to $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA.

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

Moving from San Francisco, CA to New York, NY could save you approximately $1104 per month, or $13249 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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San Francisco, CA

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New York, NY

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in San Francisco, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.1K/month moving to New York, NY

$150.0K in your current city equals $136.8K in New York, NY

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

Overall Cost

↓ 14.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,104

Savings

Annual Impact

$13.2K

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

New York, NY

Population:8337K

Cost Index:85

Median Home:$1.05M

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

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

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: San Francisco, CA vs New York, NY

Category	San Francisco, CA	New York, NY	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$9,771/mo	$7,648/mo	↓ $2,123less	21.7%
🚗Transportation	$2,158/mo	$1,602/mo	↓ $556less	25.8%
📦Other	$1,875/mo	$2,034/mo	↑ $159more	8.5%
⚡All Utilities	$448/mo	$600/mo	↑ $152more	33.9%
🏥Healthcare	$706/mo	$688/mo	↓ $18.59less	2.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,159/mo	$1,165/mo	↑ $6.00more	0.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 21.7%

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

New York, NY

$7,648

Difference

$2,123

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 25.8%

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

New York, NY

$1,602

Difference

$556

less

📦Other

↑ 8.5%

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

New York, NY

$2,034

Difference

$159

⚡All Utilities

↑ 33.9%

San Francisco, CA

$448

New York, NY

$600

Difference

$152

🏥Healthcare

↓ 2.6%

San Francisco, CA

$706

New York, NY

$688

Difference

$18.59

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.5%

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

New York, NY

$1,165

Difference

$6.00

🏛️ 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$2,460

To$3,120

↑ $660

1 Bed

From$2,950

To$3,270

↑ $320

2 Bed

From$3,570

To$3,590

↑ $20.00

3 Bed

From$4,560

To$4,500

↓ $60.00

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/mo

New York, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,260–$3,990/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

$13,737

Monthly in New York, NY

$2,381

Difference

Home Values

San Francisco

New York

$1.25M

Median Value

$1.05M

↑ +3.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.1%

↓ -7.5%

5-Year Change

↓ -5.9%

$693K - $2.12M

Price Range

$471K - $3.49M

Homes in New York are 16% less expensive than San Francisco

Calculate payment - San Francisco Calculate payment - New York

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $1.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$90.26

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.7%

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

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

Additional Tax Information

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

New York, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 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.