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Raleigh vs San Francisco cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Raleigh
๐บ๐ธ San Francisco
At a glance
- Where San Francisco is clearly cheaper: Laundry (17%โ), SIM card (17%โ)
- Where Raleigh is clearly cheaper: Half-day tour (74%โ), Studio rent (month) (58%โ), Transit (56%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Biggest gap: getting around โ Raleigh 3 vs San Francisco 2. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Raleigh | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 25$25 | Raleigh โ28% |
| Street food1 item | $ 14$14 | $ 15$15 | Raleigh โ7% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 40$40 | $ 55$55 | Raleigh โ27% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6$6 | $ 6.5$6.5 | Raleigh โ8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6$6 | $ 9$9 | Raleigh โ33% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 13$13 | $ 17$17 | Raleigh โ24% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Raleigh โ20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 3$3 | Raleigh โ17% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 14$14 | $ 16$16 | Raleigh โ12% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 10$10 | $ 11$11 | Raleigh โ9% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.25$1.25 | $ 2.85$2.85 | Raleigh โ56% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 35$35 | $ 45$45 | Raleigh โ22% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 140$140 | $ 200$200 | Raleigh โ30% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,400$1,400 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Raleigh โ58% |
| Laundry | $ 6$6 | $ 5$5 | San Francisco โ17% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 30$30 | $ 25$25 | San Francisco โ17% |
| Haircutcut | $ 30$30 | $ 38$38 | Raleigh โ21% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 80$80 | $ 110$110 | Raleigh โ27% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 18$18 | $ 70$70 | Raleigh โ74% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 18$18 | $ 35$35 | Raleigh โ49% |
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, Raleigh or San Francisco?
Raleigh is 39% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $286 vs $391; a month $5,451 vs $10,400.
Which is easier to travel, Raleigh or San Francisco?
About the same: Raleigh 1.6/5, San Francisco 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Raleigh and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Raleigh is about $5,451 and San Francisco about $10,400 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.