Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, San Francisco, CA is 6.8% more expensive than Boston, MA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Boston works out to about $80,100 in San Francisco, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 31.2% more in San Francisco. Goods are 8.8% higher and other services 2.5% higher.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 16.0% higher in San Francisco.
- Typical asking rent is $3,445 a month in San Francisco and $2,987 in Boston, $5,496 a year more in San Francisco (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $1,120,000 in San Francisco and $726,000 in Boston.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when San Francisco was 8.9% more expensive than Boston.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 31.2% higher in San Francisco than in Boston
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
All items Boston, MA: 108.3 San Francisco, CA: 115.6
Goods Boston, MA: 99.7 San Francisco, CA: 108.5
Housing (rents) Boston, MA: 148.4 San Francisco, CA: 194.7
Utilities Boston, MA: 148.8 San Francisco, CA: 172.6
Other services Boston, MA: 103.6 San Francisco, CA: 106.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.3 | 115.6 |
| Goods | 99.7 | 108.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 148.4 | 194.7 |
| Utilities | 148.8 | 172.6 |
| Other services | 103.6 | 106.2 |
| Category | Boston | San Francisco | San Francisco vs Boston |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.3 | 115.6 | +6.8% |
| Goods | 99.7 | 108.5 | +8.8% |
| Housing (rents) | 148.4 | 194.7 | +31.2% |
| Utilities | 148.8 | 172.6 | +16.0% |
| Other services | 103.6 | 106.2 | +2.5% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,987 | $3,445 | +15.3% |
| Typical home value | $726,000 | $1,120,000 | +54.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Boston | $75,000 | $80,100 | +6.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Boston and San Francisco has narrowed since 2008: 11.4 points then, 7.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 107.7 | 119.1 |
| 2009 | 106.6 | 115.2 |
| 2010 | 106.3 | 113.9 |
| 2011 | 106.6 | 112.4 |
| 2012 | 106.0 | 112.5 |
| 2013 | 104.3 | 112.9 |
| 2014 | 105.8 | 114.0 |
| 2015 | 106.3 | 115.8 |
| 2016 | 110.1 | 116.4 |
| 2017 | 109.1 | 121.6 |
| 2018 | 110.3 | 122.3 |
| 2019 | 109.9 | 119.7 |
| 2020 | 112.5 | 119.6 |
| 2021 | 109.8 | 120.0 |
| 2022 | 112.2 | 118.0 |
| 2023 | 110.4 | 117.6 |
| 2024 | 108.3 | 115.6 |
Goods
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.9 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 96.9 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 99.8 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 101.9 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 101.8 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 101.3 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 105.0 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 102.6 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 104.6 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 104.4 | 114.0 |
| 2018 | 102.8 | 116.2 |
| 2019 | 106.1 | 113.8 |
| 2020 | 108.3 | 113.0 |
| 2021 | 109.9 | 113.8 |
| 2022 | 110.0 | 114.4 |
| 2023 | 100.8 | 115.2 |
| 2024 | 99.7 | 108.5 |
Housing (rents)
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 142.7 | 191.0 |
| 2009 | 146.2 | 192.1 |
| 2010 | 144.2 | 189.2 |
| 2011 | 147.3 | 191.9 |
| 2012 | 144.9 | 189.0 |
| 2013 | 145.7 | 190.7 |
| 2014 | 142.7 | 198.1 |
| 2015 | 144.7 | 204.5 |
| 2016 | 146.6 | 210.4 |
| 2017 | 148.4 | 215.2 |
| 2018 | 146.1 | 219.7 |
| 2019 | 146.4 | 213.0 |
| 2020 | 156.7 | 227.1 |
| 2021 | 147.0 | 213.5 |
| 2022 | 150.2 | 206.3 |
| 2023 | 148.2 | 200.1 |
| 2024 | 148.4 | 194.7 |
Utilities
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 151.4 | 115.6 |
| 2009 | 143.5 | 115.7 |
| 2010 | 113.2 | 118.5 |
| 2011 | 120.8 | 113.2 |
| 2012 | 130.3 | 110.3 |
| 2013 | 114.4 | 130.1 |
| 2014 | 107.3 | 135.1 |
| 2015 | 114.9 | 142.5 |
| 2016 | 133.8 | 145.5 |
| 2017 | 151.4 | 152.4 |
| 2018 | 155.7 | 158.4 |
| 2019 | 155.1 | 162.8 |
| 2020 | 164.3 | 161.3 |
| 2021 | 158.9 | 167.0 |
| 2022 | 154.5 | 170.4 |
| 2023 | 172.2 | 162.2 |
| 2024 | 148.8 | 172.6 |
Other services
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 105.7 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 103.7 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 102.4 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 101.2 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 100.2 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 97.9 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 99.3 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 100.8 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 105.5 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 103.2 | 111.0 |
| 2018 | 106.3 | 110.8 |
| 2019 | 103.8 | 108.6 |
| 2020 | 104.2 | 105.2 |
| 2021 | 101.1 | 108.2 |
| 2022 | 104.5 | 105.9 |
| 2023 | 106.3 | 105.4 |
| 2024 | 103.6 | 106.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,445 in San Francisco vs $2,987 in Boston
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,956 | $2,247 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $2,003 | $2,348 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,986 | $2,413 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,976 | $2,413 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $2,037 | $2,448 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $2,077 | $2,505 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $2,070 | $2,507 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $2,040 | $2,467 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $2,126 | $2,518 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $2,155 | $2,570 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $2,131 | $2,597 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,121 | $2,583 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,192 | $2,614 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,228 | $2,663 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,204 | $2,687 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,194 | $2,675 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,260 | $2,703 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,300 | $2,742 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,288 | $2,761 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,269 | $2,744 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,341 | $2,768 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,318 | $2,732 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,204 | $2,618 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,133 | $2,520 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,217 | $2,549 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,319 | $2,647 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,388 | $2,739 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,422 | $2,732 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,468 | $2,797 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,579 | $2,863 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,636 | $2,887 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,622 | $2,830 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,675 | $2,859 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,759 | $2,874 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,769 | $2,878 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,764 | $2,831 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,821 | $2,869 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,877 | $2,913 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,852 | $2,926 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,853 | $2,915 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,921 | $2,975 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,955 | $3,041 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,921 | $3,082 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,915 | $3,084 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,978 | $3,161 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $3,030 | $3,291 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,987 | $3,445 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $1,120,000 in San Francisco vs $726,000 in Boston
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Boston, MA
- San Francisco, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $383K | $669K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $387K | $693K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $394K | $715K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $402K | $739K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $410K | $765K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $416K | $770K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $420K | $765K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $428K | $774K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $436K | $794K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $445K | $809K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $452K | $821K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $458K | $848K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $466K | $881K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $475K | $905K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $481K | $912K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $482K | $914K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $483K | $905K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $487K | $901K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $488K | $906K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $492K | $912K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $500K | $926K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $506K | $926K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $515K | $934K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $537K | $972K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $558K | $1.01M | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $581K | $1.06M | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $586K | $1.09M | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $589K | $1.11M | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $615K | $1.18M | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $643K | $1.22M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $638K | $1.16M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $630K | $1.11M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $628K | $1.07M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $644K | $1.08M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $663K | $1.1M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $674K | $1.1M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $683K | $1.1M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $697K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $703K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $708K | $1.13M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $711K | $1.12M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $710K | $1.1M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $711K | $1.09M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $719K | $1.1M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $723K | $1.1M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $722K | $1.11M | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $726K | $1.12M | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Boston, MA
- Cost of living in San Francisco, CA
- Reverse: moving from San Francisco to Boston
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.