City Comparison · 2026
San Francisco vs Seattle
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in San Francisco = $78k in Seattle
Metric
San Francisco
Seattle
COL Index
2.14
✓1.66
1BR Monthly Rent
$3,200/mo
✓$2,400/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$4,200/mo
✓$3,100/mo
State Income Tax
CA
WA
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
✓$78,736
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
✓21.26%
$100k Savings Potential
$34,798
✓$49,936
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | San Francisco CA | Seattle WA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco or Seattle cheaper to live in?
San Francisco has a cost-of-living index of 2.14 while Seattle is 1.66 (1.00 = US average). Seattle is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in San Francisco is $3,200/month vs $2,400/month in Seattle.
How much more do you need to earn in San Francisco vs Seattle?
$100k in San Francisco = $78k in Seattle. Cost of living in Seattle is lower by 22.4%.
Which city has better after-tax income — San Francisco or Seattle?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (San Francisco) and $78,736 in WA (Seattle). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $34,798 in San Francisco vs $49,936 in Seattle.
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