45.8% above the United States average
Ranked #7 of 577 cities · More expensive than 98.8% of cities worldwide
Compared to United States average · See United States ranking →
| Apartment | City Centre | Outside Centre | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom | USD 3,679/mo | USD 2,619/mo | 29% |
| 3-Bedroom | USD 5,625/mo | USD 4,604/mo | 18% |
Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 84.1 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 3 of 4 data sources. LivingCost is left out because it sits more than 15% away from the others.
ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.
Based on 108 country PLI x 1.45 city factor
San Francisco is very expensive by global standards (ranked #7 of 577 cities). It is 45.8% more expensive than the United States average, based on 82 cities.
Groceries are expensive and dining out is very expensive. The best value is groceries and the priciest is rent.
Local purchasing power is strong: residents can afford more goods and services than in most cities.
Add your current city and salary to compare your take-home pay and living costs with San Francisco.
Compare your salary in San Francisco →Relocation Toolkit
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