City Comparison · 2026
Seattle vs San Francisco
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Seattle = $129k in San Francisco
Metric
Seattle
San Francisco
COL Index
✓1.66
2.14
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,400/mo
$3,200/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$3,100/mo
$4,200/mo
State Income Tax
WA
CA
$100k Take-Home
✓$78,736
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
✓21.26%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$49,936
$34,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Seattle WA | San Francisco CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seattle or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Seattle has a cost-of-living index of 1.66 while San Francisco is 2.14 (1.00 = US average). Seattle is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Seattle is $2,400/month vs $3,200/month in San Francisco.
How much more do you need to earn in San Francisco vs Seattle?
$100k in Seattle = $129k in San Francisco. Cost of living in San Francisco is higher by 28.9%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Seattle or San Francisco?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $78,736 in WA (Seattle) and $73,198 in CA (San Francisco). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $49,936 in Seattle vs $34,798 in San Francisco.
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