Quick answer
Seattle is 58% cheaper than San Francisco overall. A $100K salary in San Francisco is equivalent to $42,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
San Francisco vs Seattle Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Seattle is 58% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-25% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$42,000
San Francisco vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,800/mo
$2,100/mo
-25%
2BR median rent
$3,800/mo
$2,750/mo
-28%
Median home price
$1,100K
$780K
-29%
Avg monthly groceries
$460
$430
-7%
Avg monthly utilities
$125
$130
+4%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
None
Seattle saves
Walk score
88/100
74/100
San Francisco better
Transit score
80/100
59/100
San Francisco better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current San Francisco salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$25,000
$144,000
$80,000
$33,000
$191,000
$100,000
$42,000
$239,000
$120,000
$50,000
$287,000
$150,000
$63,000
$359,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: San Francisco vs Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
San Francisco is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech professionals
- ✓high earners
- ✓urban walkability seekers
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is San Francisco or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 58% cheaper than San Francisco overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs San Francisco ($2,800/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs San Francisco $1,100K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in San Francisco?
$42,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in San Francisco based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-25% difference) and state taxes (San Francisco: Up to 13.3% vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Seattle?
1BR: San Francisco $2,800/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (-25%). 2BR: San Francisco $3,800/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (-28%).
Does San Francisco or Seattle have lower taxes?
San Francisco (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.