Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Los Angeles vs San Francisco
Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
πΊπΈ San FranciscoLos Angeles is 23% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $8,136 a month in Los Angeles feels like about $10,236 in San Francisco β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$369 vs $442
Per month
$8,136 vs $10,236
Local meal
$ 18 vs $ 20
$18 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 20 vs $ 21
$20 vs $21
At a glance
FoodLos Angeles 13% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksLos Angeles 9% cheaper
TransportLos Angeles 19% cheaper
StayLos Angeles 22% cheaper
FunLos Angeles 8% cheaper
- Where Los Angeles is clearly cheaper: Transit (36%β), Studio rent (month) (24%β), Convenience store (21%β)
Item by item
| Item | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 20$20 | Los Angeles β10% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8.1$8.1 | $ 9$9 | Los Angeles β10% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 45$45 | $ 55$55 | Los Angeles β18% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 6$6 | Los Angeles β8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | $ 9$9 | Los Angeles β11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | $ 23$23 | Los Angeles β9% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Los Angeles β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 6.3$6.3 | Los Angeles β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 20$20 | $ 21$21 | Los Angeles β5% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | $ 13$13 | Los Angeles β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.75$1.75 | $ 2.75$2.75 | Los Angeles β36% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 62$62 | $ 67$67 | Los Angeles β7% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 200$200 | $ 250$250 | Los Angeles β20% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,500$2,500 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Los Angeles β24% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Los Angeles β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 26$26 | $ 28$28 | Los Angeles β7% |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 39$39 | Los Angeles β10% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | $ 110$110 | Los Angeles β9% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 93$93 | $ 100$100 | Los Angeles β7% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 26$26 | $ 28$28 | Los Angeles β7% |
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, Los Angeles or San Francisco?
Los Angeles is 23% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $369 vs $442; a month $8,136 vs $10,236.
How do monthly costs compare between Los Angeles and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Los Angeles is about $8,136 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.