Cost of Living: New York, NY vs San Francisco, CA (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

San Francisco

California
267

New York is 38% cheaper than San Francisco.

$1,779/mo ↓ 26%
Median Rent
$2,419/mo ↑ 36%
$79,713/yr ↓ 44%
Median Income
$141,446/yr ↑ 77%
$751,700 ↓ 46%
Home Value
$1,380,500 ↑ 84%
$1,837/mo ↓ 30%
Owner Costs
$2,620/mo ↑ 43%
8,516,202
Population
836,321

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
13.3%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and San Francisco, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 267 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $640/month cheaper in New York, saving renters about $7,680/year.

Median household income is $61,733/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $1,380,500 in San Francisco.

New York has a lower income tax rate, making New York slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs San Francisco — common questions

Is New York or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, New York is cheaper to live in with an index of 166 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and San Francisco?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in San Francisco it's $2,419/month — a difference of $640/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or San Francisco?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $141,446 in San Francisco. Median household income is $61,733/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between New York and California?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to New York or San Francisco?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/mo, while San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with rent of $2,419/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View New York details → View San Francisco details →

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