City Comparison · 2026
Los Angeles vs San Francisco
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Los Angeles = $122k in San Francisco
Metric
Los Angeles
San Francisco
COL Index
✓1.76
2.14
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,450/mo
$3,200/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$3,200/mo
$4,200/mo
State Income Tax
CA
CA
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$43,798
$34,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Los Angeles CA | San Francisco CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Los Angeles has a cost-of-living index of 1.76 while San Francisco is 2.14 (1.00 = US average). Los Angeles is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Los Angeles is $2,450/month vs $3,200/month in San Francisco.
How much more do you need to earn in San Francisco vs Los Angeles?
$100k in Los Angeles = $122k in San Francisco. Cost of living in San Francisco is higher by 21.6%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Los Angeles or San Francisco?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles) and $73,198 in CA (San Francisco). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $43,798 in Los Angeles vs $34,798 in San Francisco.
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