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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Rochester

New York
61

San Francisco is 338% more expensive than Rochester.

$2,419/mo ↑ 133%
Median Rent
$1,039/mo ↓ 57%
$141,446/yr ↑ 203%
Median Income
$46,628/yr ↓ 67%
$1,380,500 ↑ 1045%
Home Value
$120,600 ↓ 91%
$2,620/mo ↑ 160%
Owner Costs
$1,009/mo ↓ 61%
836,321
Population
209,720

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
10.9%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Rochester, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,380/month cheaper in Rochester, saving renters about $16,560/year.

Median household income is $94,818/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $120,600 in Rochester.

New York has a lower income tax rate, making Rochester slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Rochester — common questions

Is San Francisco or Rochester cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Rochester is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Rochester?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Rochester it's $1,039/month — a difference of $1,380/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Rochester?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $46,628 in Rochester. Median household income is $94,818/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and New York?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Rochester?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Rochester has a cost index of 61 with rent of $1,039/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Rochester details →

More Comparisons

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