City comparison
Los Angeles vs San Francisco Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and San Francisco (177.2).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
San Francisco Index
177.2
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
San Francisco Rent
$5,250
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
San Francisco Home price
$935,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in San Francisco.
Equivalent salary in San Francisco
$149,158
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 276 | +68.0 (+32.7%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 137 | +14.0 (+11.4%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 125 | +7.0 (+5.9%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 114 | +3.0 (+2.7%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 112 | +3.0 (+2.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 132 | +11.0 (+9.1%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $8,510
Los Angeles / San Francisco
Couple
$11,740 / $14,470
Los Angeles / San Francisco
Family
$16,540 / $21,280
Los Angeles / San Francisco
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
View San Francisco city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for San Francisco.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.