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San Francisco vs New York

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

Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
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
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
New York monthly
$6,382
Index 100 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-1%
New York relative to San Francisco
Rent gap
$74
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricSan FranciscoNew York
Cost
Total monthly cost6,441 USD6,382 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)101100✓
Housing4,150 USD4,076 USD✓
Utilities256 USD232 USD✓
Food914 USD910 USD✓
Transport175 USD✓211 USD
Healthcare560 USD559 USD✓
Lifestyle217 USD✓223 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,978 USD✓5,887 USD
Effective tax + social rate28.3%✓29.4%
Left over each month-463 USD✓-495 USD
Average local net salary6,600 USD✓5,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre4,150 USD4,076 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre7,798 USD✓7,873 USD
Buy price per m², centre13,500 USD✓16,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety45/10058/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓82/100
Air quality72/100✓62/100
Public transport72/10088/100✓
Walkability86/10092/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife82/10096/100✓
Family friendliness60/10062/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓220 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature14°C13°C✓
Summer high22°C✓29°C
Winter low8°C✓-3°C
Sunshine hours per year3,060 h✓2,535 h
Annual rainfall600 mm✓1200 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min✓45 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/New_York

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

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Cost of living in San FranciscoCost of living in New YorkConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is San Francisco or New York cheaper?

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

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

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

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

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