Washington, DC 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 6.2% more expensive than Washington, DC (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Washington works out to about $79,600 in San Francisco, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 28.8% more in San Francisco. Goods are 3.5% higher and other services 3.8% higher.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 61.7% higher in San Francisco.
- Typical asking rent is $3,445 a month in San Francisco and $2,407 in Washington, $12,456 a year more in San Francisco (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $1,120,000 in San Francisco and $570,000 in Washington.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when San Francisco was 9.1% more expensive than Washington.
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: 28.8% higher in San Francisco than in Washington
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Washington, DC
- San Francisco, CA
All items Washington, DC: 108.9 San Francisco, CA: 115.6
Goods Washington, DC: 104.8 San Francisco, CA: 108.5
Housing (rents) Washington, DC: 151.1 San Francisco, CA: 194.7
Utilities Washington, DC: 106.7 San Francisco, CA: 172.6
Other services Washington, DC: 102.3 San Francisco, CA: 106.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.9 | 115.6 |
| Goods | 104.8 | 108.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 151.1 | 194.7 |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 172.6 |
| Other services | 102.3 | 106.2 |
| Category | Washington | San Francisco | San Francisco vs Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 108.9 | 115.6 | +6.2% |
| Goods | 104.8 | 108.5 | +3.5% |
| Housing (rents) | 151.1 | 194.7 | +28.8% |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 172.6 | +61.7% |
| Other services | 102.3 | 106.2 | +3.8% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,407 | $3,445 | +43.1% |
| Typical home value | $570,000 | $1,120,000 | +96.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Washington | $75,000 | $79,600 | +6.2% |
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 Washington and San Francisco has widened since 2008: 4.3 points then, 6.7 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Washington, DC
- 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
| Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 114.8 | 119.1 |
| 2009 | 115.0 | 115.2 |
| 2010 | 114.6 | 113.9 |
| 2011 | 113.5 | 112.4 |
| 2012 | 111.7 | 112.5 |
| 2013 | 113.9 | 112.9 |
| 2014 | 113.7 | 114.0 |
| 2015 | 113.7 | 115.8 |
| 2016 | 112.1 | 116.4 |
| 2017 | 109.8 | 121.6 |
| 2018 | 111.2 | 122.3 |
| 2019 | 109.8 | 119.7 |
| 2020 | 111.4 | 119.6 |
| 2021 | 111.6 | 120.0 |
| 2022 | 111.2 | 118.0 |
| 2023 | 109.5 | 117.6 |
| 2024 | 108.9 | 115.6 |
Goods
- Washington, DC
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 111.6 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 112.6 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 108.5 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 106.5 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 104.9 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 108.9 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 104.0 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 104.0 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 104.2 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 103.1 | 114.0 |
| 2018 | 105.2 | 116.2 |
| 2019 | 104.1 | 113.8 |
| 2020 | 104.8 | 113.0 |
| 2021 | 108.5 | 113.8 |
| 2022 | 106.9 | 114.4 |
| 2023 | 106.4 | 115.2 |
| 2024 | 104.8 | 108.5 |
Housing (rents)
- Washington, DC
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 168.2 | 191.0 |
| 2009 | 168.9 | 192.1 |
| 2010 | 171.2 | 189.2 |
| 2011 | 173.2 | 191.9 |
| 2012 | 172.3 | 189.0 |
| 2013 | 176.2 | 190.7 |
| 2014 | 175.2 | 198.1 |
| 2015 | 171.4 | 204.5 |
| 2016 | 170.9 | 210.4 |
| 2017 | 166.2 | 215.2 |
| 2018 | 169.0 | 219.7 |
| 2019 | 162.9 | 213.0 |
| 2020 | 165.1 | 227.1 |
| 2021 | 162.5 | 213.5 |
| 2022 | 157.1 | 206.3 |
| 2023 | 151.9 | 200.1 |
| 2024 | 151.1 | 194.7 |
Utilities
- Washington, DC
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 116.4 | 115.6 |
| 2009 | 120.6 | 115.7 |
| 2010 | 107.3 | 118.5 |
| 2011 | 105.8 | 113.2 |
| 2012 | 107.9 | 110.3 |
| 2013 | 107.4 | 130.1 |
| 2014 | 104.2 | 135.1 |
| 2015 | 108.0 | 142.5 |
| 2016 | 112.4 | 145.5 |
| 2017 | 108.1 | 152.4 |
| 2018 | 103.7 | 158.4 |
| 2019 | 102.8 | 162.8 |
| 2020 | 104.7 | 161.3 |
| 2021 | 108.3 | 167.0 |
| 2022 | 101.7 | 170.4 |
| 2023 | 105.7 | 162.2 |
| 2024 | 106.7 | 172.6 |
Other services
- Washington, DC
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 105.5 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 104.7 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 106.8 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 106.1 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 104.1 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 104.7 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 107.8 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 108.3 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 105.3 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 102.9 | 111.0 |
| 2018 | 103.9 | 110.8 |
| 2019 | 102.6 | 108.6 |
| 2020 | 103.9 | 105.2 |
| 2021 | 102.6 | 108.2 |
| 2022 | 104.4 | 105.9 |
| 2023 | 102.4 | 105.4 |
| 2024 | 102.3 | 106.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,445 in San Francisco vs $2,407 in Washington
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Washington, DC
- 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
| Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,697 | $2,247 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,721 | $2,348 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,722 | $2,413 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,712 | $2,413 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,729 | $2,448 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,750 | $2,505 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,752 | $2,507 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,739 | $2,467 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,769 | $2,518 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,795 | $2,570 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,794 | $2,597 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,783 | $2,583 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,805 | $2,614 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,835 | $2,663 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,840 | $2,687 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,843 | $2,675 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,865 | $2,703 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,895 | $2,742 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,901 | $2,761 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,891 | $2,744 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,918 | $2,768 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,912 | $2,732 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,895 | $2,618 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,847 | $2,520 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,871 | $2,549 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,949 | $2,647 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,033 | $2,739 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,043 | $2,732 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,075 | $2,797 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,149 | $2,863 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,184 | $2,887 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,138 | $2,830 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,176 | $2,859 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,221 | $2,874 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,249 | $2,878 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,229 | $2,831 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,265 | $2,869 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,325 | $2,913 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,346 | $2,926 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,321 | $2,915 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,365 | $2,975 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,389 | $3,041 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,375 | $3,082 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,336 | $3,084 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,364 | $3,161 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,391 | $3,291 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,407 | $3,445 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $1,120,000 in San Francisco vs $570,000 in Washington
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Washington, DC
- 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
| Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $372K | $669K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $373K | $693K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $375K | $715K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $379K | $739K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $382K | $765K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $382K | $770K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $383K | $765K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $388K | $774K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $393K | $794K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $396K | $809K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $397K | $821K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $402K | $848K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $407K | $881K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $409K | $905K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $413K | $912K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $415K | $914K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $420K | $905K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $424K | $901K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $425K | $906K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $430K | $912K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $438K | $926K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $442K | $926K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $448K | $934K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $465K | $972K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $481K | $1.01M | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $500K | $1.06M | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $505K | $1.09M | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $507K | $1.11M | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $525K | $1.18M | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $543K | $1.22M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $535K | $1.16M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $530K | $1.11M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $529K | $1.07M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $537K | $1.08M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $545K | $1.1M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $547K | $1.1M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $552K | $1.1M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $561K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $564K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $570K | $1.13M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $573K | $1.12M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $570K | $1.1M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $569K | $1.09M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $571K | $1.1M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $571K | $1.1M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $568K | $1.11M | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $570K | $1.12M | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Washington, DC
- Cost of living in San Francisco, CA
- Reverse: moving from San Francisco to Washington
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.