Cost of Living: Los Angeles vs San Francisco (2026)

Los Angeles vs San Francisco cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Francisco is about 2% more expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $101,802 in San Francisco.

San Francisco is about 2% more expensive than Los Angeles overall — $100,000 in Los Angeles is worth about $101,802 in San Francisco.

Los Angeles vs San Francisco: the numbers

MetricLos AngelesSan FranciscoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)114116+2%
Median rent$1,879$2,419+29%
Median home value$879,500$1,380,500+57%
Median household income$80,366$141,446+76%

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 Los Angeles has the same buying power as about $101,802 in San Francisco. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Francisco is like $98,229 in Los Angeles.

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

Compare any salary: Los Angeles 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 114 — a 2% difference. Your money goes further in Los Angeles.

About $101,802 — that's what you'd need in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Los Angeles.