Cost of Living: Boston vs San Francisco (2026)

Boston vs San Francisco cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Francisco is about 7% more expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $106,786 in San Francisco.

San Francisco is about 7% more expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $106,786 in San Francisco.

Boston vs San Francisco: the numbers

MetricBostonSan FranciscoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)108116+7%
Median rent$2,093$2,419+16%
Median home value$710,400$1,380,500+94%
Median household income$94,755$141,446+49%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $106,786 in San Francisco. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Francisco is like $93,645 in Boston.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and San Francisco.

Compare any salary: Boston vs San Francisco

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 116 vs 108 — a 7% difference. Your money goes further in Boston.

About $106,786 — that's what you'd need in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Boston.