Brooklyn vs San Francisco

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: New York salaries · California salaries

Living in Brooklyn vs San Francisco

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Brooklyn has a housing index of 325 while San Francisco sits at 327 (national average = 100). The median home in Brooklyn costs $780,000 compared to $1,200,000 in San Francisco, a difference of $420,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,900 in Brooklyn versus $3,400 in San Francisco.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Brooklyn scores 108 while San Francisco scores 112.

Healthcare costs in Brooklyn (108) are lower than San Francisco (113).

Median household income in Brooklyn is $65,294 compared to $119,136 in San Francisco. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.

Relocating: Brooklyn vs San Francisco

If you are considering a move between Brooklyn (index: 195) and San Francisco (index: 190), the 3% cost difference has real implications for your budget. San Francisco is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Brooklyn can afford $1,524/month, while the median household in San Francisco can afford $2,780/month. With median homes at $780,000 in Brooklyn versus $1,200,000 in San Francisco, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $2,900/month in Brooklyn and $3,400/month in San Francisco, renters save significantly in San Francisco. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Brooklyn (195) vs San Francisco (190)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Brooklyn at 195 is 95% above the US average, while San Francisco at 190 is 90% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Brooklyn and San Francisco land within 5 points of each other on the composite index (195 vs 190), so the overall cost picture is similar. Utilities shows the widest single-category margin at 135 versus 126, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Brooklyn and San Francisco. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Brooklyn at 325 and San Francisco at 327 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $780,000 and $1,200,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Brooklyn has an edge in housing and groceries, while San Francisco is more affordable for utilities. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $2,900/month in Brooklyn and $3,400/month in San Francisco, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,000. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $30,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $420,000 difference in median home prices between Brooklyn and San Francisco translates to roughly $25,200 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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