Cost of Living: Phoenix vs San Francisco (2026)

Phoenix vs San Francisco cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Francisco is about 12% more expensive than Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $111,902 in San Francisco.

San Francisco is about 12% more expensive than Phoenix overall — $100,000 in Phoenix is worth about $111,902 in San Francisco.

Phoenix vs San Francisco: the numbers

MetricPhoenixSan FranciscoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)103116+12%
Median rent$1,458$2,419+66%
Median home value$381,900$1,380,500+261%
Median household income$77,041$141,446+84%

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 Phoenix has the same buying power as about $111,902 in San Francisco. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Francisco is like $89,364 in Phoenix.

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

Compare any salary: Phoenix 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 103 — a 12% difference. Your money goes further in Phoenix.

About $111,902 — that's what you'd need in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Phoenix.