Cost of Living: San Francisco vs Seattle (2026)

San Francisco vs Seattle cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Seattle is about 4% less expensive than San Francisco overall — $100,000 in San Francisco is worth about $96,125 in Seattle.

Seattle is about 4% less expensive than San Francisco overall — $100,000 in San Francisco is worth about $96,125 in Seattle.

San Francisco vs Seattle: the numbers

MetricSan FranciscoSeattleDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)116111-4%
Median rent$2,419$1,998-17%
Median home value$1,380,500$912,100-34%
Median household income$141,446$121,984-14%

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 San Francisco has the same buying power as about $96,125 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $104,031 in San Francisco.

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

Compare any salary: San Francisco vs Seattle

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 116 vs 111 — a 4% difference. Your money goes further in Seattle.

About $96,125 — that's what you'd need in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in San Francisco.