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London vs San Francisco

London runs about 59% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,391 USD a month.

Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+59%
San Francisco relative to London
Rent gap
$1,550
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonSan Francisco
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, San Francisco $4,150. Cheaper in London.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, San Francisco $914. Cheaper in London.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, San Francisco $175. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, San Francisco $256. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, San Francisco $560. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, San Francisco $217. Cheaper in London.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, San Francisco $170. Cheaper in London.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricLondonSan Francisco
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD✓6,441 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)63✓101
Housing2,600 USD✓4,150 USD
Utilities267 USD256 USD✓
Food617 USD✓914 USD
Transport282 USD175 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓560 USD
Lifestyle169 USD✓217 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD5,978 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.6%28.3%✓
Left over each month1,902 USD✓-463 USD
Average local net salary3,600 USD6,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD✓4,150 USD
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD✓7,798 USD
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD13,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/100✓45/100
Healthcare84/10088/100✓
Air quality60/10072/100✓
Public transport92/100✓72/100
Walkability90/100✓86/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife94/100✓82/100
Family friendliness72/100✓60/100
Median broadband90 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓14°C
Summer high23°C22°C✓
Winter low3°C8°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h3,060 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access90 min20 min✓
CurrencyGBPUSD
Time zoneEurope/LondonAmerica/Los_Angeles

London runs about 59% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,391 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in LondonCost of living in San FranciscoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
London vs DublinLondon vs ZurichLondon vs Amsterdam
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or San Francisco cheaper?

London runs about 59% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,391 USD a month.

What salary do you need in San Francisco compared with London?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,953 a month in London and $5,978 in San Francisco, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, London or San Francisco?

London scores 66/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; San Francisco scores 45 and 88. London averages 12°C against 14°C in San Francisco.