Los Angeles vs San Francisco
Cost of Living (2026)
Los Angeles is 37% less expensive than San Francisco.
Enter your salary → get exact comparisonAt a glance
Los Angeles, CA
COL index163 ✓
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo ✓
Median home price$850K ✓
VS
San Francisco, CA
COL index224
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$3,600/mo
Median home price$1350K
Cost breakdown by category
Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → San Francisco
What salary in San Francisco gives you the same purchasing power as your Los Angeles salary?
Los Angeles vs San Francisco: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 163 versus 224 for San Francisco — a difference of approximately 37%.
State income tax impact
Los Angeles workers pay 9.3% California state income tax, while San Francisco workers pay 9.3%.
Housing costs
The median home price in Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $1,350,000 in San Francisco. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $3,600/month in San Francisco.