Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Los Angeles is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in San Francisco are 6.7% higher, and housing prices differ the most (155.3 in Los Angeles vs 188.6 in San Francisco). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,557 a month in Los Angeles and $4,378 in San Francisco.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 114.6 | 122.3 |
| BEA index for the area | 113.6 | 115.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 155.3 | 188.6 |
| Goods | 106.6 | 108.5 |
| Utilities | 158.6 | 172.6 |
| Other services | 104.4 | 106.2 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,557 | $4,378 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,676 | $6,778 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,915 | $8,059 |
| Median gross rent | $1,933 | $2,476 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,744 | $2,455 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,206 | $3,124 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,557 | $3,469 |
| Median home value | $921,200 | $1,394,500 |
| Median household income | $81,939 | $140,970 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 35.0% | 25.1% |
| Home value ÷ income | 11.2× | 9.9× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 29.75 | 29.75 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $5.75 | $5.75 |
| Population | 3,857,263 | 830,235 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles price index by category, US average = 100: All items 114.6, Housing (rents) 155.3, Goods 106.6, Utilities 158.6, Other services 104.4
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco price index by category, US average = 100: All items 122.3, Housing (rents) 188.6, Goods 108.5, Utilities 172.6, Other services 106.2
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,335 | $3,305 | +$970 |
| Utilities | $711 | $756 | +$45 |
| Food at home | $792 | $806 | +$14 |
| Transportation | $1,994 | $2,089 | +$95 |
| Health care | $633 | $645 | +$12 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $450 | $458 | +$8 |
| Total | $6,915 | $8,059 | +$1,144 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is San Francisco more expensive than Los Angeles?
Yes. Overall prices in San Francisco, CA (index 122.3) are 6.7% higher than in Los Angeles, CA (index 114.6), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 188.6 vs 155.3.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $60,000 in Los Angeles?
About $64,000. Going the other way, $60,000 in San Francisco buys about as much as $56,300 in Los Angeles. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Los Angeles or San Francisco?
Median gross rent is $1,933 in Los Angeles and $2,476 in San Francisco (+28.1% in San Francisco; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $921,200 and $1,394,500.
Notes
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources