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San Francisco vs London

London runs about 37% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,391 USD a month.

Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
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
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-37%
London relative to San Francisco
Rent gap
$1,550
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

San FranciscoLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: San Francisco $4,150, London $2,600. Cheaper in London.
  • Food
    Food: San Francisco $914, London $617. Cheaper in London.
  • Transport
    Transport: San Francisco $175, London $282. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: San Francisco $256, London $267. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: San Francisco $560, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: San Francisco $217, London $169. Cheaper in London.
  • Other
    Other: San Francisco $170, London $107. 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

MetricSan FranciscoLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost6,441 USD4,050 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)10163✓
Housing4,150 USD2,600 USD✓
Utilities256 USD✓267 USD
Food914 USD617 USD✓
Transport175 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare560 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle217 USD169 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,978 USD✓5,953 USD
Effective tax + social rate28.3%✓28.6%
Left over each month-463 USD1,902 USD✓
Average local net salary6,600 USD✓3,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre4,150 USD2,600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre7,798 USD5,200 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre13,500 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety45/10066/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓84/100
Air quality72/100✓60/100
Public transport72/10092/100✓
Walkability86/10090/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife82/10094/100✓
Family friendliness60/10072/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature14°C12°C✓
Summer high22°C✓23°C
Winter low8°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year3,060 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall600 mm600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min✓90 min
CurrencyUSDGBP
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesEurope/London

London runs about 37% 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 San FranciscoCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
San Francisco vs New YorkSan Francisco vs MiamiSan Francisco vs Los Angeles
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is San Francisco or London cheaper?

London runs about 37% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,391 USD a month.

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

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

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

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