Los Angeles, CA 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 1.8% more expensive than Los Angeles, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Los Angeles works out to about $76,400 in San Francisco, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 14.2% more in San Francisco. Goods are 1.7% higher and other services 1.8% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $3,445 a month in San Francisco and $2,929 in Los Angeles, $6,192 a year more in San Francisco (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $1,120,000 in San Francisco and $950,000 in Los Angeles.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when San Francisco was 7.9% more expensive than Los Angeles.
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: 14.2% higher in San Francisco than in Los Angeles
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
All items Los Angeles, CA: 113.6 San Francisco, CA: 115.6
Goods Los Angeles, CA: 106.6 San Francisco, CA: 108.5
Housing (rents) Los Angeles, CA: 170.4 San Francisco, CA: 194.7
Utilities Los Angeles, CA: 158.6 San Francisco, CA: 172.6
Other services Los Angeles, CA: 104.4 San Francisco, CA: 106.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 113.6 | 115.6 |
| Goods | 106.6 | 108.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 170.4 | 194.7 |
| Utilities | 158.6 | 172.6 |
| Other services | 104.4 | 106.2 |
| Category | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Francisco vs Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 113.6 | 115.6 | +1.8% |
| Goods | 106.6 | 108.5 | +1.7% |
| Housing (rents) | 170.4 | 194.7 | +14.2% |
| Utilities | 158.6 | 172.6 | +8.8% |
| Other services | 104.4 | 106.2 | +1.8% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,929 | $3,445 | +17.6% |
| Typical home value | $950,000 | $1,120,000 | +17.9% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Los Angeles | $75,000 | $76,400 | +1.8% |
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 Los Angeles and San Francisco has narrowed since 2008: 5.8 points then, 2.0 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Los Angeles, CA
- 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
| Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 113.3 | 119.1 |
| 2009 | 112.2 | 115.2 |
| 2010 | 112.5 | 113.9 |
| 2011 | 111.5 | 112.4 |
| 2012 | 112.1 | 112.5 |
| 2013 | 112.4 | 112.9 |
| 2014 | 112.2 | 114.0 |
| 2015 | 113.3 | 115.8 |
| 2016 | 111.3 | 116.4 |
| 2017 | 110.2 | 121.6 |
| 2018 | 111.0 | 122.3 |
| 2019 | 110.9 | 119.7 |
| 2020 | 113.9 | 119.6 |
| 2021 | 114.2 | 120.0 |
| 2022 | 113.3 | 118.0 |
| 2023 | 114.7 | 117.6 |
| 2024 | 113.6 | 115.6 |
Goods
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.0 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 103.1 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 104.0 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 105.1 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 104.4 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 104.4 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 106.2 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 108.1 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 107.8 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 102.5 | 114.0 |
| 2018 | 103.6 | 116.2 |
| 2019 | 105.9 | 113.8 |
| 2020 | 106.5 | 113.0 |
| 2021 | 108.9 | 113.8 |
| 2022 | 106.5 | 114.4 |
| 2023 | 107.1 | 115.2 |
| 2024 | 106.6 | 108.5 |
Housing (rents)
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 183.8 | 191.0 |
| 2009 | 183.2 | 192.1 |
| 2010 | 180.0 | 189.2 |
| 2011 | 178.3 | 191.9 |
| 2012 | 178.4 | 189.0 |
| 2013 | 176.7 | 190.7 |
| 2014 | 178.5 | 198.1 |
| 2015 | 177.2 | 204.5 |
| 2016 | 178.5 | 210.4 |
| 2017 | 178.4 | 215.2 |
| 2018 | 180.5 | 219.7 |
| 2019 | 183.4 | 213.0 |
| 2020 | 183.6 | 227.1 |
| 2021 | 181.5 | 213.5 |
| 2022 | 176.9 | 206.3 |
| 2023 | 173.0 | 200.1 |
| 2024 | 170.4 | 194.7 |
Utilities
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 118.2 | 115.6 |
| 2009 | 119.5 | 115.7 |
| 2010 | 119.3 | 118.5 |
| 2011 | 114.5 | 113.2 |
| 2012 | 116.2 | 110.3 |
| 2013 | 117.9 | 130.1 |
| 2014 | 127.7 | 135.1 |
| 2015 | 125.1 | 142.5 |
| 2016 | 125.2 | 145.5 |
| 2017 | 127.1 | 152.4 |
| 2018 | 107.9 | 158.4 |
| 2019 | 112.9 | 162.8 |
| 2020 | 117.6 | 161.3 |
| 2021 | 132.3 | 167.0 |
| 2022 | 149.1 | 170.4 |
| 2023 | 140.7 | 162.2 |
| 2024 | 158.6 | 172.6 |
Other services
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.9 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 102.0 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 102.5 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 101.1 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 102.6 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 103.2 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 101.8 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 103.0 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 99.9 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 100.8 | 111.0 |
| 2018 | 101.8 | 110.8 |
| 2019 | 100.0 | 108.6 |
| 2020 | 102.7 | 105.2 |
| 2021 | 102.9 | 108.2 |
| 2022 | 103.7 | 105.9 |
| 2023 | 106.1 | 105.4 |
| 2024 | 104.4 | 106.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,445 in San Francisco vs $2,929 in Los Angeles
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Los Angeles, CA
- 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
| Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,768 | $2,247 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,809 | $2,348 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,843 | $2,413 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,858 | $2,413 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,888 | $2,448 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,925 | $2,505 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,948 | $2,507 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,955 | $2,467 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $2,007 | $2,518 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $2,042 | $2,570 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $2,062 | $2,597 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,071 | $2,583 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,104 | $2,614 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,132 | $2,663 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,155 | $2,687 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,171 | $2,675 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,190 | $2,703 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,222 | $2,742 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,239 | $2,761 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,246 | $2,744 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,260 | $2,768 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,236 | $2,732 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,236 | $2,618 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,238 | $2,520 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,275 | $2,549 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,338 | $2,647 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,468 | $2,739 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,523 | $2,732 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,591 | $2,797 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,668 | $2,863 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,706 | $2,887 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,689 | $2,830 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,706 | $2,859 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,733 | $2,874 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,759 | $2,878 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,742 | $2,831 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,766 | $2,869 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,796 | $2,913 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,819 | $2,926 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,805 | $2,915 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,865 | $2,975 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,871 | $3,041 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,878 | $3,082 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,866 | $3,084 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,890 | $3,161 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,916 | $3,291 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,929 | $3,445 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $1,120,000 in San Francisco vs $950,000 in Los Angeles
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Los Angeles, CA
- 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
| Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $507K | $669K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $509K | $693K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $505K | $715K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $495K | $739K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $518K | $765K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $538K | $770K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $528K | $765K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $524K | $774K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $557K | $794K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $578K | $809K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $579K | $821K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $591K | $848K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $613K | $881K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $627K | $905K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $644K | $912K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $660K | $914K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $643K | $905K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $635K | $901K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $645K | $906K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $664K | $912K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $669K | $926K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $666K | $926K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $682K | $934K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $723K | $972K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $741K | $1.01M | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $769K | $1.06M | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $797K | $1.09M | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $822K | $1.11M | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $864K | $1.18M | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $897K | $1.22M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $890K | $1.16M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $878K | $1.11M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $849K | $1.07M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $858K | $1.08M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $896K | $1.1M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $922K | $1.1M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $918K | $1.1M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $931K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $947K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $961K | $1.13M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $954K | $1.12M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $941K | $1.1M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $938K | $1.09M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $948K | $1.1M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $951K | $1.1M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $947K | $1.11M | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $950K | $1.12M | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Los Angeles, CA
- Cost of living in San Francisco, CA
- Reverse: moving from San Francisco to Los Angeles
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.