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Seattle vs San Francisco

Seattle runs about 55% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,279 USD a month.

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
Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+55%
San Francisco relative to Seattle
Rent gap
$2,130
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SeattleSan Francisco
  • Housing
    Housing: Seattle $2,020, San Francisco $4,150. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Food
    Food: Seattle $849, San Francisco $914. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Transport
    Transport: Seattle $189, San Francisco $175. Cheaper in San Francisco.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Seattle $227, San Francisco $256. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Seattle $537, San Francisco $560. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Seattle $181, San Francisco $217. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Other
    Other: Seattle $159, San Francisco $170. 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

MetricSeattleSan Francisco
Cost
Total monthly cost4,162 USD✓6,441 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)65✓101
Housing2,020 USD✓4,150 USD
Utilities227 USD✓256 USD
Food849 USD✓914 USD
Transport189 USD175 USD✓
Healthcare537 USD✓560 USD
Lifestyle181 USD✓217 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,575 USD✓5,978 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.1%✓28.3%
Left over each month2,413 USD✓-463 USD
Average local net salary5,800 USD6,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,020 USD✓4,150 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,856 USD✓7,798 USD
Buy price per m², centre8,000 USD✓13,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety58/100✓45/100
Healthcare86/10088/100✓
Air quality78/100✓72/100
Public transport68/10072/100✓
Walkability74/10086/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife76/10082/100✓
Family friendliness70/100✓60/100
Median broadband260 Mbps260 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓14°C
Summer high26°C22°C✓
Winter low2°C8°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,170 h3,060 h✓
Annual rainfall950 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min20 min✓
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Los_Angeles

Seattle runs about 55% 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 SeattleCost of living in San FranciscoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Seattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs VancouverSeattle vs Toronto
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Seattle or San Francisco cheaper?

Seattle runs about 55% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,279 USD a month.

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

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

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

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