Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Seattle, WA?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 14.5% more expensive than Seattle, WA. This translates to spending an extra $1090 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Seattle, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Seattle, WA, you'd need approximately $163,081.395 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 29.7% more expensive than in Seattle, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $2,630/month in Seattle, WA.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $1090 more per month than Seattle, WA, or $13081 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Seattle, WA

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Seattle, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.1K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↑ 14.5%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,090

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$13.1K

Per year

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

Seattle, WA

Population:749K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$808K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:115

Median Home:$1.25M

Seattle, WA

The Evergreen State

749K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Oceanic

Notable Facts

•Coffee culture birthplace
•Major tech center
•Pacific Northwest gateway

Major Industries

TechnologyAerospaceMaritime TradeCoffee Industry

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: Seattle, WA vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Seattle, WA	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,536/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $2,235more	29.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,899/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $260more	13.7%
🏥Healthcare	$824/mo	$706/mo	↓ $118less	14.3%
📦Other	$1,975/mo	$1,875/mo	↓ $100less	5.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $79.94more	7.4%
⚡All Utilities	$481/mo	$448/mo	↓ $32.79less	6.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 29.7%

Seattle, WA

$7,536

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$2,235

🚗Transportation

↑ 13.7%

Seattle, WA

$1,899

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$260

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.3%

Seattle, WA

$824

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$118

less

📦Other

↓ 5.1%

Seattle, WA

$1,975

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$100

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 7.4%

Seattle, WA

$1,079

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$79.94

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.8%

Seattle, WA

$481

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$32.79

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,180

To$2,460

↑ $280

1 Bed

From$2,260

To$2,950

↑ $690

2 Bed

From$2,630

To$3,570

↑ $940

3 Bed

From$3,440

To$4,560

↑ $1,120

Seattle, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,900–$3,210/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.

$13,794

Monthly in Seattle, WA

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$2,323

Difference

Home Values

Seattle

San Francisco

$808K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -2.5%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +12.5%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$433K - $1.34M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 54% more expensive than Seattle

Calculate payment - Seattle Calculate payment - San Francisco

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Seattle, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Seattle, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.