Boston-Cambridge-Quincy vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco, you'd need:
$99,449
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
San Francisco
To match your lifestyle in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, you'd need:
$51,991
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $10,668 more per year in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy compared to San Francisco. You'd pay $2,712 more in taxes in San Francisco, while housing costs 23% more. The cost of living in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy is 48% above avg, while San Francisco is 100% above avg, making Boston-Cambridge-Quincy the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy feels like earning $99,449 in San Francisco once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, San Francisco has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in San Francisco ($31,757 vs $17,920 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boston-Cambridge-Quincy or San Francisco more expensive?
San Francisco is more expensive with a cost of living index of 200.1 vs 148.2 (national average = 100).
What salary in San Francisco equals $70,000 in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy?
You would need to earn approximately $99,449 in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy vs San Francisco?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $35,292 in Boston-Cambridge-Quincy and $43,248 in San Francisco—housing is 23% more in San Francisco.