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San Francisco vs Miami

Miami runs about 24% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 1,514 USD a month.

Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
Taken at PortMiami on March 11, 2024.
Miami
$4,927/month · United States
Kiran891 · CC BY-SA 4.0
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Miami monthly
$4,927
Index 77 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-24%
Miami relative to San Francisco
Rent gap
$1,406
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricSan FranciscoMiami
Cost
Total monthly cost6,441 USD4,927 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)10177✓
Housing4,150 USD2,744 USD✓
Utilities256 USD250 USD✓
Food914 USD849 USD✓
Transport175 USD✓195 USD
Healthcare560 USD547 USD✓
Lifestyle217 USD181 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,978 USD6,575 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.3%21.1%✓
Left over each month-463 USD1,648 USD✓
Average local net salary6,600 USD✓3,900 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre4,150 USD2,744 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre7,798 USD5,286 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre13,500 USD8,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety45/10050/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓76/100
Air quality72/100✓68/100
Public transport72/100✓48/100
Walkability86/100✓62/100
English proficiency100/100✓88/100
Nightlife82/10090/100✓
Family friendliness60/10062/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓250 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature14°C✓25°C
Summer high22°C✓32°C
Winter low8°C15°C✓
Sunshine hours per year3,060 h✓2,900 h
Annual rainfall600 mm✓1570 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min15 min✓
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/New_York

Miami runs about 24% 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 San FranciscoCost of living in MiamiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
San Francisco vs New YorkSan Francisco vs Los AngelesSan Francisco vs Chicago
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is San Francisco or Miami cheaper?

Miami runs about 24% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 1,514 USD a month.

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

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

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

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