Median rent is 26% lower in Henderson ($1,824/mo vs $2,476/mo). Buying is cheaper in Henderson, where the median home runs $484,900 versus $1,394,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($140,970 vs $90,138 a year). Taken together, Henderson is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 117.6 — about 16% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Francisco, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Henderson is 16% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.3 in Henderson vs 117.6 in San Francisco (US national average = 100)
City A
Henderson, NV
City B
San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from Henderson, NV?
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$89,701
You'd need $14,701 more (20% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Henderson
Nevada
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Henderson — median rent of $1,824/mo versus $2,476/mo in San Francisco, a 26% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in San Francisco: the median home is $1,394,500 versus $484,900 in Henderson — 65% more expensive.
Metric
Henderson
San Francisco
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Henderson
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Francisco
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Henderson (avg AQI 20.0) but not yet for San Francisco.
Pick Henderson if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.3 vs 117.6).
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($140,970/yr).
Pick Henderson if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,824/mo median).
Henderson is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 16% lower in Henderson.
Median rent is $1,824/mo in Henderson, NV and $2,476/mo in San Francisco, CA. Henderson, NV has the lower rent by about 26%.
Median household income is $90,138 in Henderson, NV and $140,970 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.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Henderson, NV is equivalent to roughly $119,601 in San Francisco, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
