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New York vs San Francisco

New York and San Francisco cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

The New York Stock Exchange in 2022, as seen from a vantage point inside the main trading hall.
New York
$6,382/month · United States
Tobias Deml · 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
New York monthly
$6,382
Index 100 (NYC = 100)
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+1%
San Francisco relative to New York
Rent gap
$74
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

New YorkSan Francisco
  • Housing
    Housing: New York $4,076, San Francisco $4,150. Cheaper in New York.
  • Food
    Food: New York $910, San Francisco $914. Cheaper in New York.
  • Transport
    Transport: New York $211, San Francisco $175. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: New York $232, San Francisco $256. Cheaper in New York.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: New York $559, San Francisco $560. Cheaper in New York.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: New York $223, San Francisco $217. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Other
    Other: New York $171, San Francisco $170. Cheaper in San Francisco.
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

MetricNew YorkSan Francisco
Cost
Total monthly cost6,382 USD✓6,441 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)100✓101
Housing4,076 USD✓4,150 USD
Utilities232 USD✓256 USD
Food910 USD✓914 USD
Transport211 USD175 USD✓
Healthcare559 USD✓560 USD
Lifestyle223 USD217 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,887 USD5,978 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate29.4%28.3%✓
Left over each month-495 USD-463 USD✓
Average local net salary5,400 USD6,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre4,076 USD✓4,150 USD
3-bed rent, city centre7,873 USD7,798 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre16,000 USD13,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety58/100✓45/100
Healthcare82/10088/100✓
Air quality62/10072/100✓
Public transport88/100✓72/100
Walkability92/100✓86/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife96/100✓82/100
Family friendliness62/100✓60/100
Median broadband220 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature13°C✓14°C
Summer high29°C22°C✓
Winter low-3°C8°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,535 h3,060 h✓
Annual rainfall1200 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access45 min20 min✓
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/New_YorkAmerica/Los_Angeles

New York and San Francisco cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Cost of living in New YorkCost of living in San FranciscoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is New York or San Francisco cheaper?

New York and San Francisco cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in San Francisco compared with New York?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,887 a month in New York and $5,978 in San Francisco, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, New York or San Francisco?

New York scores 58/100 on safety and 82/100 on healthcare; San Francisco scores 45 and 88. New York averages 13°C against 14°C in San Francisco.