Cost of Living: Las Vegas vs San Francisco (2026)

Las Vegas vs San Francisco cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Francisco is about 15% more expensive than Las Vegas overall — $100,000 in Las Vegas is worth about $115,365 in San Francisco.

San Francisco is about 15% more expensive than Las Vegas overall — $100,000 in Las Vegas is worth about $115,365 in San Francisco.

Las Vegas vs San Francisco: the numbers

MetricLas VegasSan FranciscoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)100116+15%
Median rent$1,456$2,419+66%
Median home value$395,300$1,380,500+249%
Median household income$70,723$141,446+100%

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 Las Vegas has the same buying power as about $115,365 in San Francisco. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Francisco is like $86,681 in Las Vegas.

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

Compare any salary: Las Vegas 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 100 — a 15% difference. Your money goes further in Las Vegas.

About $115,365 — that's what you'd need in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Las Vegas.