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San Francisco vs Seattle

Seattle runs about 35% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,279 USD a month.

Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
The Seattle skyline at dusk as viewed from the Jose Rizal Bridge. In the foreground is the Interstate 5 in Washington.
Seattle
$4,162/month · United States
Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-35%
Seattle relative to San Francisco
Rent gap
$2,130
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

San FranciscoSeattle
  • Housing
    Housing: San Francisco $4,150, Seattle $2,020. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Food
    Food: San Francisco $914, Seattle $849. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Transport
    Transport: San Francisco $175, Seattle $189. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: San Francisco $256, Seattle $227. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: San Francisco $560, Seattle $537. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: San Francisco $217, Seattle $181. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Other
    Other: San Francisco $170, Seattle $159. Cheaper in Seattle.
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 FranciscoSeattle
Cost
Total monthly cost6,441 USD4,162 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)10165✓
Housing4,150 USD2,020 USD✓
Utilities256 USD227 USD✓
Food914 USD849 USD✓
Transport175 USD✓189 USD
Healthcare560 USD537 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 USD2,413 USD✓
Average local net salary6,600 USD✓5,800 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre4,150 USD2,020 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre7,798 USD3,856 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre13,500 USD8,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety45/10058/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓86/100
Air quality72/10078/100✓
Public transport72/100✓68/100
Walkability86/100✓74/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife82/100✓76/100
Family friendliness60/10070/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps260 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature14°C12°C✓
Summer high22°C✓26°C
Winter low8°C✓2°C
Sunshine hours per year3,060 h✓2,170 h
Annual rainfall600 mm✓950 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min✓25 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Los_Angeles

Seattle runs about 35% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,279 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in San FranciscoCost of living in SeattleConvert 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 Seattle cheaper?

Seattle runs about 35% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,279 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Seattle 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 Seattle, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

San Francisco scores 45/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Seattle scores 58 and 86. San Francisco averages 14°C against 12°C in Seattle.