Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ New Orleans vs San Francisco
New Orleans 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 New Orleans
πΊπΈ San FranciscoNew Orleans is 55% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $6,083 a month in New Orleans feels like about $10,236 in San Francisco β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$310 vs $442
Per month
$6,083 vs $10,236
Local meal
$ 15 vs $ 20
$15 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 15 vs $ 21
$15 vs $21
At a glance
FoodNew Orleans 26% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksNew Orleans 27% cheaper
TransportNew Orleans 41% cheaper
StayNew Orleans 46% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where New Orleans is clearly cheaper: Transit (64%β), Studio rent (month) (55%β), Beer (33%β)
Item by item
| Item | New Orleans | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 15$15 | $ 20$20 | New Orleans β25% |
| Street food1 item | $ 6.8$6.8 | $ 9$9 | New Orleans β24% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 40$40 | $ 55$55 | New Orleans β27% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 6$6 | New Orleans β17% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6$6 | $ 9$9 | New Orleans β33% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 16$16 | $ 23$23 | New Orleans β30% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | New Orleans β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 6.3$6.3 | New Orleans β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 15$15 | $ 21$21 | New Orleans β29% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 14$14 | $ 13$13 | San Francisco β7% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1$1 | $ 2.75$2.75 | New Orleans β64% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 69$69 | $ 67$67 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 170$170 | $ 250$250 | New Orleans β32% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,500$1,500 | $ 3,300$3,300 | New Orleans β55% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4.5$4.5 | New Orleans β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | New Orleans β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 39$39 | $ 39$39 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 110$110 | $ 110$110 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 100$100 | $ 100$100 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | $ 28$28 | New Orleans 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, New Orleans or San Francisco?
New Orleans is 55% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $310 vs $442; a month $6,083 vs $10,236.
How do monthly costs compare between New Orleans and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, New Orleans is about $6,083 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.