Median rent is 34% lower in Los Angeles ($1,879/mo vs $2,833/mo). Buying is cheaper in Los Angeles, where the median home runs $879,500 versus $1,160,100. Households earn more in South San Francisco ($135,909 vs $80,366 a year).
City A
Los Angeles, CA
City B
South San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in South San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from Los Angeles, CA?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
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
Los Angeles
California
South 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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Los Angeles — median rent of $1,879/mo versus $2,833/mo in South San Francisco, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in South San Francisco: the median home is $1,160,100 versus $879,500 in Los Angeles — 24% more expensive.
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 South San Francisco is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 7.25% in California and 7.25% in California; South San Francisco has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
South San Francisco
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for South San Francisco.
Pick South San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($135,909/yr).
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,879/mo median).
Is Los Angeles cheaper than South San Francisco?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Los Angeles vs South San Francisco?
Median rent is $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA and $2,833/mo in South San Francisco, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the lower rent by about 34%.
Which has higher salaries — Los Angeles or South San Francisco?
Median household income is $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA and $135,909 in South San Francisco, CA. South 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 — Los Angeles or South San Francisco?
California's top income tax rate is 13.30% and California's is 13.30%. South San Francisco, CA has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in South San Francisco to match my Los Angeles income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology