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San Francisco vs Vancouver

Vancouver runs about 45% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,901 USD a month.

Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-45%
Vancouver relative to San Francisco
Rent gap
$2,050
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

San FranciscoVancouver
  • Housing
    Housing: San Francisco $4,150, Vancouver $2,100. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Food
    Food: San Francisco $914, Vancouver $774. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Transport
    Transport: San Francisco $175, Vancouver $162. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: San Francisco $256, Vancouver $221. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: San Francisco $560, Vancouver $9.20. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: San Francisco $217, Vancouver $168. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Other
    Other: San Francisco $170, Vancouver $107. Cheaper in Vancouver.
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 FranciscoVancouver
Cost
Total monthly cost6,441 USD3,541 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)10155✓
Housing4,150 USD2,100 USD✓
Utilities256 USD221 USD✓
Food914 USD774 USD✓
Transport175 USD162 USD✓
Healthcare560 USD9 USD✓
Lifestyle217 USD168 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,978 USD6,088 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.3%26.9%✓
Left over each month-463 USD2,547 USD✓
Average local net salary6,600 USD✓3,300 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre4,150 USD2,100 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre7,798 USD3,700 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre13,500 USD10,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety45/10074/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓84/100
Air quality72/10084/100✓
Public transport72/100✓70/100
Walkability86/100✓76/100
English proficiency100/100✓96/100
Nightlife82/100✓72/100
Family friendliness60/10082/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓210 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature14°C11°C✓
Summer high22°C✓23°C
Winter low8°C✓1°C
Sunshine hours per year3,060 h✓1,930 h
Annual rainfall600 mm✓1190 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min15 min✓
CurrencyUSDCAD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Vancouver

Vancouver runs about 45% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,901 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in San FranciscoCost of living in VancouverConvert 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 Vancouver cheaper?

Vancouver runs about 45% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,901 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,978 a month in San Francisco and $6,088 in Vancouver, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

San Francisco scores 45/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Vancouver scores 74 and 84. San Francisco averages 14°C against 11°C in Vancouver.