New York vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison
New York
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco, you'd need:
$93,348
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
San Francisco
To match your lifestyle in New York, you'd need:
$54,417
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $7,795 more per year in New York compared to San Francisco. You'd pay $533 less in taxes in San Francisco, while housing costs 24% more. The cost of living in New York is 50% above avg, while San Francisco is 100% above avg, making New York the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in New York feels like earning $93,348 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 ($19,246 vs $17,920 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York or San Francisco more expensive?
San Francisco is more expensive with a cost of living index of 200.1 vs 149.7 (national average = 100).
What salary in San Francisco equals $70,000 in New York?
You would need to earn approximately $93,348 in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in New York, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in New York vs San Francisco?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $34,920 in New York and $43,248 in San Francisco—housing is 24% more in San Francisco.