San Francisco vs Seattle

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: California salaries · Washington salaries

Living in San Francisco vs Seattle

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. San Francisco has a housing index of 327 while Seattle sits at 224 (national average = 100). The median home in San Francisco costs $1,200,000 compared to $750,000 in Seattle, a difference of $450,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $3,400 in San Francisco versus $2,300 in Seattle.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: San Francisco scores 112 while Seattle scores 109.

Healthcare costs in San Francisco (113) are higher than Seattle (109).

Median household income in San Francisco is $119,136 compared to $97,185 in Seattle. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Seattle.

Relocating: San Francisco vs Seattle

If you are considering a move between San Francisco (index: 190) and Seattle (index: 152), the 20% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Seattle 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 San Francisco can afford $2,780/month, while the median household in Seattle can afford $2,268/month. With median homes at $1,200,000 in San Francisco versus $750,000 in Seattle, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $3,400/month in San Francisco and $2,300/month in Seattle, renters save significantly in Seattle. 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 significantly further in Seattle. 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: San Francisco (190) vs Seattle (152)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. San Francisco at 190 is 90% above the US average, while Seattle at 152 is 52% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

San Francisco costs meaningfully more than Seattle, with a 38-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where San Francisco scores 327 and Seattle scores 224. That 103-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Seattle with indices of 224 versus 327. Median home prices of $1,200,000 in San Francisco and $750,000 in Seattle underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $3,400/month in San Francisco and $2,300/month in Seattle, the annual rent difference is approximately $13,200. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $66,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $450,000 difference in median home prices between San Francisco and Seattle translates to roughly $27,000 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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