Rochester vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison
Rochester
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco, you'd need:
$172,606
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
San Francisco
To match your lifestyle in Rochester, you'd need:
$29,343
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $23,839 more per year in Rochester compared to San Francisco. You'd pay $533 less in taxes in San Francisco, while housing costs 129% more. The cost of living in Rochester is 6% below avg, while San Francisco is 100% above avg, making Rochester the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Rochester feels like earning $172,606 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 ($24,813 vs $17,920 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester or San Francisco more expensive?
San Francisco is more expensive with a cost of living index of 200.1 vs 94.4 (national average = 100).
What salary in San Francisco equals $70,000 in Rochester?
You would need to earn approximately $172,606 in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Rochester, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Rochester vs San Francisco?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $18,876 in Rochester and $43,248 in San Francisco—housing is 129% more in San Francisco.