San Francisco vs Los Angeles: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
San Francisco
California
Cost Index115.6
Median Rent$2,476/mo
Median Income$141K
State Tax13.3%
Above Average
City B
Los Angeles
California
Cost Index113.6
Median Rent$1,933/mo
Median Income$82K
State Tax13.3%
Above Average
Better value overall
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in Los Angeles to match your lifestyle in San Francisco?
$80,000
San Francisco
$80,000
Cost Index: 115.6
Los Angeles
$78,584
Cost Index: 113.6
You need $1,416 less in Los Angeles to maintain the same lifestyle.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index scores where 100 = national average. Green highlights the city with the advantage.
Overall Cost Index-1.8%
San Francisco115.6
Los Angeles113.6
Median Rent-21.9%
San Francisco$2K
Los Angeles$2K
Median Income-41.9%
San Francisco$141K
Los Angeles$82K
Grocery Index-7.7%
San Francisco382.2
Los Angeles352.8
Utilities Index~equal
San Francisco100.0
Los Angeles100.0
Transportation+5.3%
San Francisco267.0
Los Angeles281.2
Healthcare~equal
San Francisco100.0
Los Angeles100.0
State Tax Rate~equal
San Francisco13.30%
Los Angeles13.30%
Side-by-Side Chart
San Francisco: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($141K)
Lower unemployment (4.1%)
2% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $2,476/mo vs $1,933/mo
Los Angeles: Pros & Cons
2% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $1,933/mo vs $2,476/mo
Lower grocery costs
San Francisco vs Los Angeles – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 115.6, while Los Angeles scores 113.6. San Francisco is approximately -1.8% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in San Francisco is $2,476/month compared to $1,933/month in Los Angeles — a difference of 22%. Rent is typically the largest monthly expense, so this significantly impacts overall affordability.
Due to cost of living differences, you would need approximately 98% of your San Francisco salary to maintain the same standard of living in Los Angeles. For example, a $75,000 salary in San Francisco would need to be about $73,672 in Los Angeles. Use the salary slider above to calculate your specific equivalent.
The cost of living index is calculated using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities), US Census Bureau (median incomes and home values), HUD (Fair Market Rents), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (consumer price data). A score of 100 represents the national average. Scores above 100 indicate higher-than-average costs, while scores below 100 are more affordable.
San Francisco has a median household income of $140,970 with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. Los Angeles has a median household income of $81,939 with an unemployment rate of 4.8%. While income is higher in San Francisco, remember to factor in cost of living when comparing real purchasing power.
Beyond cost of living, consider: (1) state income tax differences — some states have no income tax; (2) housing market trends and whether to rent or buy; (3) job market strength in your industry; (4) healthcare costs and access; (5) climate and lifestyle preferences; (6) commute times and transportation options; and (7) proximity to family. Our comparison tool covers the financial factors, but quality of life matters too.