Cost of Living: San Francisco vs Washington (2026)

San Francisco vs Washington cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Washington is about 6% less expensive than San Francisco overall — $100,000 in San Francisco is worth about $94,180 in Washington.

Washington is about 6% less expensive than San Francisco overall — $100,000 in San Francisco is worth about $94,180 in Washington.

San Francisco vs Washington: the numbers

MetricSan FranciscoWashingtonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)116109-6%
Median rent$2,419$1,900-21%
Median home value$1,380,500$724,600-48%
Median household income$141,446$106,287-25%

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 $94,180 in Washington. Going the other way, $100,000 in Washington is like $106,180 in San Francisco.

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

Compare any salary: San Francisco vs Washington

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 116 vs 109 — a 6% difference. Your money goes further in Washington.

About $94,180 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in San Francisco.