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San Francisco vs Los Angeles

Los Angeles runs about 28% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 1,782 USD a month.

Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
The Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, as seen from a DJI Mavic 3.
Los Angeles
$4,659/month · United States
InvadingInvader · CC BY-SA 4.0
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Los Angeles monthly
$4,659
Index 73 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-28%
Los Angeles relative to San Francisco
Rent gap
$1,643
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

San FranciscoLos Angeles
  • Housing
    Housing: San Francisco $4,150, Los Angeles $2,507. Cheaper in Los Angeles.
  • Food
    Food: San Francisco $914, Los Angeles $849. Cheaper in Los Angeles.
  • Transport
    Transport: San Francisco $175, Los Angeles $186. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: San Francisco $256, Los Angeles $239. Cheaper in Los Angeles.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: San Francisco $560, Los Angeles $537. Cheaper in Los Angeles.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: San Francisco $217, Los Angeles $182. Cheaper in Los Angeles.
  • Other
    Other: San Francisco $170, Los Angeles $159. Cheaper in Los Angeles.
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 FranciscoLos Angeles
Cost
Total monthly cost6,441 USD4,659 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)10173✓
Housing4,150 USD2,507 USD✓
Utilities256 USD239 USD✓
Food914 USD849 USD✓
Transport175 USD✓186 USD
Healthcare560 USD537 USD✓
Lifestyle217 USD182 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,978 USD5,978 USD
Effective tax + social rate28.3%28.3%
Left over each month-463 USD1,319 USD✓
Average local net salary6,600 USD✓4,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre4,150 USD2,507 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre7,798 USD4,714 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre13,500 USD9,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety45/10048/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓82/100
Air quality72/100✓45/100
Public transport72/100✓48/100
Walkability86/100✓55/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife82/10088/100✓
Family friendliness60/10062/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓230 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature14°C✓18°C
Summer high22°C✓29°C
Winter low8°C9°C✓
Sunshine hours per year3,060 h3,250 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm380 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min✓30 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Los_Angeles

Los Angeles runs about 28% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 1,782 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in San FranciscoCost of living in Los AngelesConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
San Francisco vs New YorkSan Francisco vs MiamiSan Francisco vs Chicago
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is San Francisco or Los Angeles cheaper?

Los Angeles runs about 28% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 1,782 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Los Angeles compared with San Francisco?

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

Which has better quality of life, San Francisco or Los Angeles?

San Francisco scores 45/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Los Angeles scores 48 and 82. San Francisco averages 14°C against 18°C in Los Angeles.