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Miami vs San Francisco

Miami runs about 31% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 1,514 USD a month.

Taken at PortMiami on March 11, 2024.
Miami
$4,927/month · United States
Kiran891 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
Miami monthly
$4,927
Index 77 (NYC = 100)
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+31%
San Francisco relative to Miami
Rent gap
$1,406
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

MiamiSan Francisco
  • Housing
    Housing: Miami $2,744, San Francisco $4,150. Cheaper in Miami.
  • Food
    Food: Miami $849, San Francisco $914. Cheaper in Miami.
  • Transport
    Transport: Miami $195, San Francisco $175. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Miami $250, San Francisco $256. Cheaper in Miami.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Miami $547, San Francisco $560. Cheaper in Miami.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Miami $181, San Francisco $217. Cheaper in Miami.
  • Other
    Other: Miami $162, San Francisco $170. Cheaper in Miami.
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

MetricMiamiSan Francisco
Cost
Total monthly cost4,927 USD✓6,441 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)77✓101
Housing2,744 USD✓4,150 USD
Utilities250 USD✓256 USD
Food849 USD✓914 USD
Transport195 USD175 USD✓
Healthcare547 USD✓560 USD
Lifestyle181 USD✓217 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,575 USD✓5,978 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.1%✓28.3%
Left over each month1,648 USD✓-463 USD
Average local net salary3,900 USD6,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,744 USD✓4,150 USD
3-bed rent, city centre5,286 USD✓7,798 USD
Buy price per m², centre8,200 USD✓13,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety50/100✓45/100
Healthcare76/10088/100✓
Air quality68/10072/100✓
Public transport48/10072/100✓
Walkability62/10086/100✓
English proficiency88/100100/100✓
Nightlife90/100✓82/100
Family friendliness62/100✓60/100
Median broadband250 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature25°C14°C✓
Summer high32°C22°C✓
Winter low15°C✓8°C
Sunshine hours per year2,900 h3,060 h✓
Annual rainfall1570 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓20 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/New_YorkAmerica/Los_Angeles

Miami runs about 31% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 1,514 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in MiamiCost of living in San FranciscoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Miami vs Los AngelesMiami vs ChicagoMiami vs Seattle
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Miami or San Francisco cheaper?

Miami runs about 31% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 1,514 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,575 a month in Miami and $5,978 in San Francisco, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Miami scores 50/100 on safety and 76/100 on healthcare; San Francisco scores 45 and 88. Miami averages 25°C against 14°C in San Francisco.