Los Angeles vs San Francisco
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA.
Los Angeles, CA
COL Index
166
Monthly Budget
$8,300
State Tax
12.3%
Population
4.0M
San Francisco, CA
COL Index
179
Monthly Budget
$8,950
State Tax
12.3%
Population
0.9M
Los Angeles is 8% less expensive than San Francisco
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,283 | $3,605 | -$322 |
| Groceries | $993 | $1,061 | -$68 |
| Transport | $1,275 | $1,369 | -$94 |
| Healthcare | $585 | $621 | -$36 |
| Utilities | $498 | $537 | -$39 |
| Other | $1,834 | $1,958 | -$124 |
| Total | $8,300 | $8,950 | -$650 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Los Angeles (CA) | San Francisco (CA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $5,953 | $5,953 | $0 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $26,773 | $26,773 | $0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $73,227 | $73,227 | $0 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Los Angeles salary is worth in San Francisco (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Los Angeles Salary | Equivalent in San Francisco | San Francisco Salary | Equivalent in Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $53,916 | $50,000 | $46,369 |
| $75,000 | $80,873 | $75,000 | $69,553 |
| $100,000 | $107,831 | $100,000 | $92,737 |
| $150,000 | $161,747 | $150,000 | $139,106 |