City Comparison · 2026
San Francisco vs Los Angeles
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in San Francisco = $82k in Los Angeles
Metric
San Francisco
Los Angeles
COL Index
2.14
✓1.76
1BR Monthly Rent
$3,200/mo
✓$2,450/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$4,200/mo
✓$3,200/mo
State Income Tax
CA
CA
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
$34,798
✓$43,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | San Francisco CA | Los Angeles 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 San Francisco or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
San Francisco has a cost-of-living index of 2.14 while Los Angeles is 1.76 (1.00 = US average). Los Angeles is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in San Francisco is $3,200/month vs $2,450/month in Los Angeles.
How much more do you need to earn in San Francisco vs Los Angeles?
$100k in San Francisco = $82k in Los Angeles. Cost of living in Los Angeles is lower by 17.8%.
Which city has better after-tax income — San Francisco or Los Angeles?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (San Francisco) and $73,198 in CA (Los Angeles). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $34,798 in San Francisco vs $43,798 in Los Angeles.
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