San Francisco vs Seattle: Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Which city offers more for your money? We compare rent, taxes, daily costs, and livability between San Francisco and Seattle to help you decide.
San Francisco, CA
Affordability Rating
Tight$1,750/mo on $70K
Seattle, WA
Affordability Rating
Tight$1,750/mo on $70K
Cost of Living Side-by-Side
| Category | San Francisco | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Avg 1BR Rent | $3,500 | $1,950 |
| Avg 2BR Rent | $4,500 | $2,500 |
| Utilities | $165 | $180 |
| Groceries | $440 | $400 |
| Transportation | $95 | $200 |
| Healthcare | $350 | $320 |
| State Income Tax | 6% | None |
| Sales Tax | 8.625% | 10.25% |
| Median Income | $135,590 | $109,000 |
Green = better value for that category. Data reflects 2026 estimates.
Take-Home Pay Comparison by Salary
| Salary | San Francisco Take-Home | Seattle Take-Home | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50k | $3,274 | $3,524 | $-250 |
| $60k | $3,894 | $4,194 | $-300 |
| $70k | $4,454 | $4,804 | $-350 |
| $80k | $4,990 | $5,390 | $-400 |
| $90k | $5,526 | $5,976 | $-450 |
| $100k | $6,063 | $6,563 | $-500 |
Lifestyle Comparison
San Francisco
SF is a city of contrasts—billion-dollar startups next to Victorian painted ladies, world-class dim sum around the corner from a surf break. The fog, the hills, and the relentless innovation define the experience.
BART and Muni provide solid transit coverage within the city and to the East Bay. Many tech workers ride corporate shuttles to South Bay campuses. The city is compact enough for biking year-round.
Seattle
Seattle is outdoorsy, intellectual, and caffeinated. Weekdays are spent in tech offices; weekends involve hiking Rainier, kayaking Puget Sound, or hunting for the best pour-over in Capitol Hill.
Link Light Rail connects key corridors, and many tech workers ride company shuttles. Traffic on I-5 is notoriously bad, but the city is becoming more transit-friendly year over year.