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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Mesa

Arizona
107

San Francisco is 150% more expensive than Mesa.

$2,419/mo ↑ 64%
Median Rent
$1,478/mo ↓ 39%
$141,446/yr ↑ 80%
Median Income
$78,779/yr ↓ 44%
$1,380,500 ↑ 279%
Home Value
$364,300 ↓ 74%
$2,620/mo ↑ 87%
Owner Costs
$1,404/mo ↓ 46%
836,321
Population
507,478

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
2.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Mesa, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 107 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $941/month cheaper in Mesa, saving renters about $11,292/year.

Median household income is $62,667/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $364,300 in Mesa.

Arizona has a lower income tax rate, making Mesa slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Mesa — common questions

Is San Francisco or Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mesa is cheaper to live in with an index of 107 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Mesa?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Mesa it's $1,478/month — a difference of $941/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Mesa?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $78,779 in Mesa. Median household income is $62,667/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Arizona?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Mesa has a cost index of 107 with rent of $1,478/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Mesa details →

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