Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Vancouver, WA (2026)

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Vancouver

Washington
123

San Francisco is 117% more expensive than Vancouver.

$2,419/mo ↑ 48%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↓ 33%
$141,446/yr ↑ 81%
Median Income
$78,156/yr ↓ 45%
$1,380,500 ↑ 214%
Home Value
$440,300 ↓ 68%
$2,620/mo ↑ 63%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↓ 39%
836,321
Population
192,696

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.71%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Vancouver, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 123 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $787/month cheaper in Vancouver, saving renters about $9,444/year.

Median household income is $63,290/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $440,300 in Vancouver.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Vancouver — common questions

Is San Francisco or Vancouver cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Vancouver is cheaper to live in with an index of 123 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Vancouver?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Vancouver it's $1,632/month — a difference of $787/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Vancouver?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $78,156 in Vancouver. Median household income is $63,290/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Washington?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Vancouver?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Vancouver has a cost index of 123 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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