Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Boston vs San Francisco
Boston vs San Francisco cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Boston
πΊπΈ San FranciscoBoston is 7% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $9,315 a month in Boston feels like about $10,236 in San Francisco β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$427 vs $442
Per month
$9,315 vs $10,236
Local meal
$ 18 vs $ 20
$18 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 20 vs $ 21
$20 vs $21
At a glance
FoodBoston 10% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksBoston 9% cheaper
TransportBoston 7% cheaper
StayBoston 5% cheaper
FunBoston 10% cheaper
- Where Boston is clearly cheaper: Convenience store (21%β), Bottled water (20%β)
Item by item
| Item | Boston | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 20$20 | Boston β10% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8.1$8.1 | $ 9$9 | Boston β10% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 50$50 | $ 55$55 | Boston β9% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 6$6 | Boston β8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | $ 9$9 | Boston β11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | $ 23$23 | Boston β9% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Boston β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 6.3$6.3 | Boston β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 20$20 | $ 21$21 | Boston β5% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | $ 13$13 | Boston β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2.75$2.75 | Boston β9% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 60$60 | $ 67$67 | Boston β10% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 250$250 | $ 250$250 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,000$3,000 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Boston β9% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Boston β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | Boston β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 39$39 | Boston β10% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | $ 110$110 | Boston β9% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 90$90 | $ 100$100 | Boston β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | Boston β11% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Boston or San Francisco?
Boston is 7% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $427 vs $442; a month $9,315 vs $10,236.
How do monthly costs compare between Boston and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Boston is about $9,315 and San Francisco about $10,236 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.