Median rent is 18% lower in Seattle ($2,030/mo vs $2,476/mo). Buying is cheaper in Seattle, where the median home runs $938,600 versus $1,394,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($140,970 vs $123,860 a year). Taken together, Seattle is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 112.7 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
Seattle is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 112.7 in Seattle vs 117.6 in San Francisco (US national average = 100)
City A
San Francisco, CA
City B
Seattle, WA
How much would you need to earn in Seattle, WA to maintain your standard of living from San Francisco, CA?
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$71,925
You could earn $3,075 less (4% lower) and break even.
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
San Francisco
California
Seattle
Washington
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Seattle at $2,030/mo compared to $2,476/mo in San Francisco (18% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in San Francisco: the median home is $1,394,500 versus $938,600 in Seattle — 33% more expensive.
Metric
San Francisco
Seattle
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.
San Francisco
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Seattle
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Seattle (avg AQI 52.0) but not yet for San Francisco.
Pick Seattle if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 112.7 vs 117.6).
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($140,970/yr).
Pick Seattle if you prioritize cheaper rent ($2,030/mo median).
Seattle is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 112.7 versus 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in Seattle.
Median rent is $2,476/mo in San Francisco, CA and $2,030/mo in Seattle, WA. Seattle, WA has the lower rent by about 18%.
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco, CA and $123,860 in Seattle, WA. 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 San Francisco, CA is equivalent to roughly $95,900 in Seattle, WA (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
