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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Raleigh

North Carolina
110

San Francisco is 143% more expensive than Raleigh.

$2,419/mo ↑ 65%
Median Rent
$1,468/mo ↓ 39%
$141,446/yr ↑ 72%
Median Income
$82,424/yr ↓ 42%
$1,380,500 ↑ 265%
Home Value
$377,800 ↓ 73%
$2,620/mo ↑ 76%
Owner Costs
$1,487/mo ↓ 43%
836,321
Population
470,763

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.5%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Raleigh, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 110 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $951/month cheaper in Raleigh, saving renters about $11,412/year.

Median household income is $59,022/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $377,800 in Raleigh.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Raleigh slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Raleigh — common questions

Is San Francisco or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Raleigh is cheaper to live in with an index of 110 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Raleigh?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Raleigh it's $1,468/month — a difference of $951/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Raleigh?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $82,424 in Raleigh. Median household income is $59,022/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and North Carolina?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Raleigh?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Raleigh has a cost index of 110 with rent of $1,468/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Raleigh details →

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