Median rent is 26% lower in New York ($1,821/mo vs $2,476/mo). Buying is cheaper in New York, where the median home runs $777,600 versus $1,394,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($140,970 vs $80,483 a year). Taken together, New York is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 112.6 against 117.6 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Francisco, CA.
Cost of living verdict
New York is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 112.6 in New York vs 117.6 in San Francisco (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$78,266
You'd need $3,266 more (4% 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
New York
New York
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 New York — median rent of $1,821/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 $777,600 in New York — 44% more expensive.
Metric
New York
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.
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Francisco
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 46.0) but not yet for San Francisco.
Pick New York if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 112.6 vs 117.6).
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($140,970/yr).
Pick New York if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,821/mo median).
New York is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.6 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in New York.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $2,476/mo in San Francisco, CA. New York, NY has the lower rent by about 26%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY 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 New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $104,355 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
