Los Angeles vs San Francisco: Cost of Living & Salary Comparison
Los Angeles and San Francisco are both popular destinations for professionals. Here's a data-driven comparison of what it actually costs to live and work in each city.
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Category | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 105 | -14% (lower is better) |
| Median Salary | $68,000 | $95,000 | |
| Rent (1BR) | $2,600 | $3,400 | (/month) |
| Rent (2BR) | $3,700 | $4,800 | (/month) |
| Groceries Index | 92 | 98 | -6% (NYC=100) |
| Transport Monthly | $110 | $110 | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 27% | 30% | (at median income) |
| Purchasing Power | 90 | 108 | -17% (higher is better) |
Salary Comparison by Role
| Role | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $135,000 | $165,000 | -18% |
| Product Manager | $132,000 | $162,000 | -19% |
| Data Scientist | $132,000 | $162,000 | -19% |
| DevOps Engineer | $138,000 | $165,000 | -16% |
| Frontend Developer | $115,000 | $140,000 | -18% |
| Engineering Manager | $185,000 | $228,000 | -19% |
San Francisco Offers Better Purchasing Power
San Francisco has a purchasing power index of 108 compared to 90 for Los Angeles. 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, Los Angeles (90) is less expensive compared to San Francisco (105), where NYC = 100.
To maintain the same standard of living, you would need approximately $117,000 in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles 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.