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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Reno

Nevada
122

San Francisco is 119% more expensive than Reno.

$2,419/mo ↑ 66%
Median Rent
$1,453/mo ↓ 40%
$141,446/yr ↑ 80%
Median Income
$78,448/yr ↓ 45%
$1,380,500 ↑ 177%
Home Value
$498,600 ↓ 64%
$2,620/mo ↑ 77%
Owner Costs
$1,482/mo ↓ 43%
836,321
Population
268,959

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.85%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.53%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Reno, NV, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 122 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $966/month cheaper in Reno, saving renters about $11,592/year.

Median household income is $62,998/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $498,600 in Reno.

Nevada has no state income tax, giving Reno residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Reno — common questions

Is San Francisco or Reno cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Reno is cheaper to live in with an index of 122 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Reno?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Reno it's $1,453/month — a difference of $966/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Reno?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $78,448 in Reno. Median household income is $62,998/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Nevada?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Nevada has 0% income tax, 6.85% sales tax, and 0.53% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Reno?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Reno has a cost index of 122 with rent of $1,453/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Reno details →

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