Boston vs San Francisco: Cost of Living & Salary Comparison
Thinking about relocating between Boston and San Francisco? This comparison breaks down the real costs, salary differences, and what your money buys in each city.
Boston
San Francisco
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Category | Boston | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 92 | 105 | -12% (lower is better) |
| Median Salary | $78,000 | $95,000 | |
| Rent (1BR) | $2,800 | $3,400 | (/month) |
| Rent (2BR) | $3,800 | $4,800 | (/month) |
| Groceries Index | 95 | 98 | -3% (NYC=100) |
| Transport Monthly | $110 | $110 | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 28% | 30% | (at median income) |
| Purchasing Power | 98 | 108 | -9% (higher is better) |
Salary Comparison by Role
| Role | Boston | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|
San Francisco Offers Better Purchasing Power
San Francisco has a purchasing power index of 108 compared to 98 for Boston. Despite potentially higher costs, making it a stronger choice from a pure economic standpoint. It's also a top tech hub (score: 10/10).
Common Questions
Based on cost of living indices, Boston (92) is less expensive compared to San Francisco (105), where NYC = 100.
To maintain the same standard of living, you would need approximately $114,130 in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Boston.
Boston has a tech hub score of 8/10 while San Francisco scores 10/10. San Francisco generally offers more tech opportunities.
Based on purchasing power, San Francisco offers better value. This accounts for both salary levels and cost of living.
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Last updated: 2026-02-19 | Data sources: Numbeo, OECD, Glassdoor, and local government statistics.