Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Fullerton, CA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Fullerton

California
195

San Francisco is 37% more expensive than Fullerton.

$2,419/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↓ 12%
$141,446/yr ↑ 36%
Median Income
$104,219/yr ↓ 26%
$1,380,500 ↑ 61%
Home Value
$859,600 ↓ 38%
$2,620/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↓ 14%
836,321
Population
141,278

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
13.3%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $295/month cheaper in Fullerton, saving renters about $3,540/year.

Median household income is $37,227/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

Both cities share the same state tax structure since they are in California.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Fullerton — common questions

Is San Francisco or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fullerton is cheaper to live in with an index of 195 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Fullerton?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $295/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Fullerton?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $37,227/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and California?
Both cities are in California and share the same state tax rates: 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Fullerton details →

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