San Francisco vs Seattle: Cost of Living

22%

San Francisco is about 22% more expensive than Seattle overall.

How San Francisco Compares to Seattle

Category by category

Renting ▲ 22%
Buying ▲ 38%
Goods ▲ 7%
Services ▲ 32%

Key Facts

San FranciscoSeattle
Median Rent$2,448/mo$2,007/mo
Median Home$1,314,700$950,800
Median Income$139,801$118,745
State Income TaxUp to 13.3%None
Sales Tax8.625%10.25%

Housing: The Biggest Difference

Seattle has the lower median home price by $363,900. Monthly rent is $441/month cheaper in Seattle.

Compare With Your Salary

Sources: Housing from Census ACS 2024. Goods and services from BEA Regional Price Parities 2023. Taxes from Tax Foundation. Full disclaimer.

San Francisco vs Seattle FAQ

Rent is $441/month cheaper in Seattle. San Francisco's median rent is $2,448/month, while Seattle's is $2,007/month. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Seattle has the lower median home price at $950,800, saving $363,900 compared to San Francisco. Source: Census ACS 2024.