Median rent is 12% lower in Berkeley ($2,127/mo vs $2,419/mo). Buying is cheaper in Berkeley, where the median home runs $1,351,100 versus $1,380,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($141,446 vs $108,558 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (118.0).
City A
Berkeley, CA
City B
San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from Berkeley, CA?
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Berkeley
California
San Francisco
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Berkeley at $2,127/mo compared to $2,419/mo in San Francisco (12% gap). Median home values are within 2% of each other: $1,351,100 in Berkeley and $1,380,500 in San Francisco.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% versus 13.30% in California, so San Francisco is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 7.25% in California; San Francisco has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Berkeley
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
San Francisco
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is not yet available for these cities.
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($141,446/yr).
Pick Berkeley if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,127/mo median).
Is Berkeley cheaper than San Francisco?
Berkeley is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 118.0 versus 118.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Berkeley.
How much is rent in Berkeley vs San Francisco?
Median rent is $2,127/mo in Berkeley, CA and $2,419/mo in San Francisco, CA. Berkeley, CA has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Berkeley or San Francisco?
Median household income is $108,558 in Berkeley, CA and $141,446 in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Berkeley or San Francisco?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and California's is 13.30%. San Francisco, CA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match my Berkeley income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Berkeley, CA is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in San Francisco, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology