The numbers, side by side
| Metric | San Francisco | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 191 | 166 | -25 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $3,400 | $2,500 | -$900 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $4,400 | $3,200 | -$1,200 |
| Median household income | $92,345 | $65,290 | -$27,055 |
| Population | 815,201 | 3,979,576 | +3,164,375 |
What salary you'd need in Los Angeles
To maintain your San Francisco purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Los Angeles.
San Francisco vs Los Angeles: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, San Francisco's cost-of-living index of 191 runs roughly 13.1% higher than Los Angeles's 166. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco averages $3,400/month, vs $2,500/month in Los Angeles — a -$900 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$1,200/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $10,800 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in San Francisco is $92,345, while Los Angeles runs $65,290 (-$27,055 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
Both cities are in the same state, so state income tax is identical. The cost difference is purely local — rent, transit, groceries, and lifestyle.