City Comparison · 2026
Philadelphia vs San Francisco
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Philadelphia = $161k in San Francisco
Metric
Philadelphia
San Francisco
COL Index
✓1.33
2.14
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,800/mo
$3,200/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,300/mo
$4,200/mo
State Income Tax
PA
CA
$100k Take-Home
✓$75,666
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
✓24.33%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$54,066
$34,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Philadelphia PA | San Francisco CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,406 $4,034/mo · 19.32% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $75,666 $6,306/mo · 24.33% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $108,673 $9,056/mo · 27.55% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Philadelphia or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Philadelphia has a cost-of-living index of 1.33 while San Francisco is 2.14 (1.00 = US average). Philadelphia is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Philadelphia is $1,800/month vs $3,200/month in San Francisco.
How much more do you need to earn in San Francisco vs Philadelphia?
$100k in Philadelphia = $161k in San Francisco. Cost of living in San Francisco is higher by 60.9%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Philadelphia or San Francisco?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $75,666 in PA (Philadelphia) and $73,198 in CA (San Francisco). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $54,066 in Philadelphia vs $34,798 in San Francisco.
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