Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ New York vs San Francisco
New York vs San Francisco cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐บ๐ธ New York
๐บ๐ธ San FranciscoSan Francisco is 10% cheaper than New York
Living on $11,647 a month in New York feels like about $10,236 in San Francisco โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$478 vs $442
Per month
$11,647 vs $10,236
Local meal
$ 20 vs $ 20
$20 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 23 vs $ 21
$23 vs $21
At a glance
Foodsimilar
Cafรฉs & drinkssimilar
TransportSan Francisco 7% cheaper
StaySan Francisco 13% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where San Francisco is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (15%โ)
Item by item
| Item | New York | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 20$20 | $ 20$20 | similar |
| Street food1 item | $ 9$9 | $ 9$9 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 55$55 | $ 55$55 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6$6 | $ 6$6 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | $ 9$9 | $ 9$9 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 23$23 | $ 23$23 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2.5$2.5 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 6.3$6.3 | $ 6.3$6.3 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 23$23 | $ 21$21 | San Francisco โ9% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 14$14 | $ 13$13 | San Francisco โ7% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.9$2.9 | $ 2.75$2.75 | San Francisco โ5% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 68$68 | $ 67$67 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 280$280 | $ 250$250 | San Francisco โ11% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,900$3,900 | $ 3,300$3,300 | San Francisco โ15% |
| Laundry | $ 4.5$4.5 | $ 4.5$4.5 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 28$28 | $ 28$28 | similar |
| 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 | $ 28$28 | $ 28$28 | similar |
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 York or San Francisco?
San Francisco is 10% cheaper than New York. Daily budget $478 vs $442; a month $11,647 vs $10,236.
How do monthly costs compare between New York and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, New York is about $11,647 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.