The numbers, side by side
| Metric | San Francisco | Miami | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 191 | 125 | -66 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $3,400 | $1,800 | -$1,600 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $4,400 | $2,350 | -$2,050 |
| Median household income | $92,345 | $58,234 | -$34,111 |
| Population | 815,201 | 442,241 | -372,960 |
What salary you'd need in Miami
To maintain your San Francisco purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Miami.
San Francisco vs Miami: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, San Francisco's cost-of-living index of 191 runs roughly 34.6% higher than Miami's 125. 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 $1,800/month in Miami — a -$1,600 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$2,050/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $19,200 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in San Francisco is $92,345, while Miami runs $58,234 (-$34,111 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
San Francisco is in California and Miami is in Florida, so you'll also pick up a state-tax difference. Tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, and Nevada deliver real take-home upside even when nominal salaries are similar.