Seattle vs San Francisco: Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA. Side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, state taxes, and salary equivalents.
vs
City A
Seattle
Washington
Cost Index111.1
Median Rent$2,030/mo
Median Income$124K
State TaxNone
Above Average
Better value overall
City B
San Francisco
California
Cost Index115.6
Median Rent$2,476/mo
Median Income$141K
State Tax13.3%
Above Average
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much would you need in San Francisco to match your lifestyle in Seattle?
$80,000
Seattle
$80,000
Cost Index: 111.1
San Francisco
$83,225
Cost Index: 115.6
You need +$3,225 more in San Francisco 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+4.0%
Seattle111.1
San Francisco115.6
Median Rent+22.0%
Seattle$2K
San Francisco$2K
Median Income+13.8%
Seattle$124K
San Francisco$141K
Grocery Index+1.9%
Seattle375.1
San Francisco382.2
Utilities Index~equal
Seattle100.0
San Francisco100.0
Transportation-17.0%
Seattle321.7
San Francisco267.0
Healthcare~equal
Seattle100.0
San Francisco100.0
State Tax Rate+133000.0%
SeattleNone
San Francisco13.30%
Side-by-Side Chart
Seattle: Pros & Cons
4% lower overall cost of living
Lower rent — $2,030/mo vs $2,476/mo
Lower state income tax (none)
Lower grocery costs
San Francisco: Pros & Cons
Higher median income ($141K)
Lower unemployment (4.1%)
4% higher overall cost of living
Higher rent — $2,476/mo vs $2,030/mo
Higher state income tax (13.3%)
Seattle vs San Francisco – FAQ
Common questions about comparing cost of living between Seattle and San Francisco.
Seattle has a cost of living index of 111.1, while San Francisco scores 115.6. San Francisco is approximately 4.0% more expensive overall. This comparison accounts for housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
Median 2-bedroom rent in Seattle is $2,030/month compared to $2,476/month in San Francisco — 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 104% of your Seattle salary to maintain the same standard of living in San Francisco. For example, a $75,000 salary in Seattle would need to be about $78,023 in San Francisco. 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.
Seattle has a median household income of $123,860 with an unemployment rate of 5%. San Francisco has a median household income of $140,970 with an unemployment rate of 4.1%. 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.