Miami vs San Francisco
Cost of Living (2026)
Miami is 82% less expensive than San Francisco. Plus, Florida has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.
Enter your salary → get exact comparisonAt a glance
Miami, FL
COL index123 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$2,300/mo ✓
Median home price$600K ✓
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: Miami → San Francisco
What salary in San Francisco gives you the same purchasing power as your Miami salary?
Miami vs San Francisco: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
When comparing the cost of living between Miami, FL and San Francisco, CA, Miami comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 123 versus 224 for San Francisco — a difference of approximately 82%.
State income tax impact
Florida has no state income tax, giving Miami workers an immediate 9.3% take-home pay advantage over San Francisco workers who pay California's 9.3% state income tax.
Housing costs
The median home price in Miami is $600,000, compared to $1,350,000 in San Francisco. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,300/month in Miami versus $3,600/month in San Francisco.