Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs New Haven, CT (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

New Haven

Connecticut
95

San Francisco is 181% more expensive than New Haven.

$2,419/mo ↑ 68%
Median Rent
$1,442/mo ↓ 40%
$141,446/yr ↑ 163%
Median Income
$53,771/yr ↓ 62%
$1,380,500 ↑ 454%
Home Value
$249,000 ↓ 82%
$2,620/mo ↑ 72%
Owner Costs
$1,520/mo ↓ 42%
836,321
Population
132,893

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
6.99%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.35%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.15%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
32.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and New Haven, CT, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $977/month cheaper in New Haven, saving renters about $11,724/year.

Median household income is $87,675/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $249,000 in New Haven.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs New Haven — common questions

Is San Francisco or New Haven cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, New Haven is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and New Haven?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in New Haven it's $1,442/month — a difference of $977/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or New Haven?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $53,771 in New Haven. Median household income is $87,675/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Connecticut?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Connecticut has 6.99% income tax, 6.35% sales tax, and 2.15% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or New Haven?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while New Haven has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,442/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View New Haven details →

More Comparisons

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