Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
San Francisco is the more expensive housing market by roughly 36%; San Francisco earns more at the median (43% higher), partly offsetting the cost difference. Whether that math works depends on what fraction of housing cost a relocating household plans to absorb.
Median Home Value
$879,500 ✓
$1,380,500
Zillow Home Value
$941,985
$1,299,229
Median Gross Rent
$1,879/mo ✓
$2,419/mo
Owner Occupied %
36.3%
38.5%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
39.0x
47.6x
Median Household Income
$80,366
$141,446 ✓
Per Capita Income
$46,270
$90,285
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
5.6% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.6%
10.6%
Avg Commute (min)
34.1 min
34.2 min
Drove Alone %
61.4%
28.6%
Public Transit %
6.7%
21.4%
Work From Home %
17.3%
27.5%
State Income Tax
13.3%
13.3%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
8.7% ✓
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
0.7%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.5%
35.1%
Median Age
36.9
39.7
Avg High Temp
70.4°F
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Annual Precipitation
13.4"
30"
Los Angeles, CA 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
San Francisco, CA 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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