Salt Lake City vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison
Salt Lake City
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco, you'd need:
$140,992
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
San Francisco
To match your lifestyle in Salt Lake City, you'd need:
$34,703
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $21,741 more per year in Salt Lake City compared to San Francisco. You'd pay $543 less in taxes in San Francisco, while housing costs 106% more. The cost of living in Salt Lake City is 18% above avg, while San Francisco is 100% above avg, making Salt Lake City the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Salt Lake City feels like earning $140,992 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 Salt Lake City ($15,142 vs $17,920 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salt Lake City or San Francisco more expensive?
San Francisco is more expensive with a cost of living index of 200.1 vs 118.5 (national average = 100).
What salary in San Francisco equals $70,000 in Salt Lake City?
You would need to earn approximately $140,992 in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Salt Lake City, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Salt Lake City vs San Francisco?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $20,964 in Salt Lake City and $43,248 in San Francisco—housing is 106% more in San Francisco.