City Comparison
San Francisco vs Los Angeles
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Los Angeles is ~8% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
San Francisco
United States
COL+Rent
75.6
Rent Index
63.1
Groceries
91.5
Restaurant
96.6
Los Angeles
United States
COL+Rent
69.5
Rent Index
57.8
Groceries
84.4
Restaurant
88.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | San Francisco | Los Angeles | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,868 | $2,627 | +$241 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $2,248 | $2,059 | +$189 |
| Groceries | $525 | $484 | +$41 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $26 | +$2 |
| Transit Pass | $92 | $85 | +$7 |
| Utilities | $212 | $196 | +$16 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | San Francisco | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $3,032/mo | $2,783/mo |
| Typical | $4,117/mo | $3,782/mo |
| Comfortable | $5,072/mo | $4,663/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in San Francisco | ≈ in Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,379/mo | -$121 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,839/mo | -$161 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,758/mo | -$242 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco or Los Angeles cheaper to live in?
Los Angeles is approximately 8% cheaper overall. San Francisco's COL+Rent Index is 75.6 vs Los Angeles's 69.5 (NYC = 100).
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Los Angeles?
A 1BR in San Francisco city center costs ~$2,868/mo vs $2,627/mo in Los Angeles. Outside the center: $2,248 vs $2,059.
What is $2,000/month in San Francisco worth in Los Angeles?
Using cost-of-living adjustment, $2,000/month in San Francisco has the purchasing power of approximately $1,839/month in Los Angeles.
Are groceries cheaper in San Francisco or Los Angeles?
Monthly groceries cost approximately $525 in San Francisco vs $484 in Los Angeles. Groceries Index: 91.5 vs 84.4 (NYC = 100).