Raleigh-Cary vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison
Raleigh-Cary
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco, you'd need:
$156,433
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
San Francisco
To match your lifestyle in Raleigh-Cary, you'd need:
$32,541
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $22,384 more per year in Raleigh-Cary compared to San Francisco. You'd pay $136 more in taxes in San Francisco, while housing costs 106% more. The cost of living in Raleigh-Cary is 4% above avg, while San Francisco is 100% above avg, making Raleigh-Cary the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Raleigh-Cary feels like earning $156,433 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 Raleigh-Cary ($15,088 vs $17,920 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Raleigh-Cary or San Francisco more expensive?
San Francisco is more expensive with a cost of living index of 200.1 vs 104.0 (national average = 100).
What salary in San Francisco equals $70,000 in Raleigh-Cary?
You would need to earn approximately $156,433 in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Raleigh-Cary, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Raleigh-Cary vs San Francisco?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $21,000 in Raleigh-Cary and $43,248 in San Francisco—housing is 106% more in San Francisco.