The numbers, side by side
| Metric | San Francisco | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 191 | 147 | -44 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $3,400 | $2,100 | -$1,300 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $4,400 | $2,700 | -$1,700 |
| Median household income | $92,345 | $78,340 | -$14,005 |
| Population | 815,201 | 753,675 | -61,526 |
What salary you'd need in Seattle
To maintain your San Francisco purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Seattle.
San Francisco vs Seattle: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, San Francisco's cost-of-living index of 191 runs roughly 23.0% higher than Seattle's 147. 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 $2,100/month in Seattle — a -$1,300 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$1,700/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $15,600 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in San Francisco is $92,345, while Seattle runs $78,340 (-$14,005 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 Seattle is in Washington, 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.