Popular cities
Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
๐บ๐ธ San Francisco
At a glance
- Where Salt Lake City is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (58%โ), Entry ticket (43%โ), Haircut (34%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Salt Lake City is easier to travel (1.4 vs 1.6). Biggest gap: safety โ Salt Lake City 2 vs San Francisco 3. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Salt Lake City | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 25$25 | Salt Lake City โ28% |
| Street food1 item | $ 12$12 | $ 15$15 | Salt Lake City โ20% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 38$38 | $ 55$55 | Salt Lake City โ31% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.8$5.8 | $ 6.5$6.5 | Salt Lake City โ11% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | $ 9$9 | Salt Lake City โ11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 13$13 | $ 17$17 | Salt Lake City โ24% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Salt Lake City โ20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 3$3 | Salt Lake City โ17% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 12$12 | $ 16$16 | Salt Lake City โ25% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 8$8 | $ 11$11 | Salt Lake City โ27% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2.85$2.85 | Salt Lake City โ12% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 35$35 | $ 45$45 | Salt Lake City โ22% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 150$150 | $ 200$200 | Salt Lake City โ25% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,400$1,400 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Salt Lake City โ58% |
| Laundry | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 25$25 | $ 38$38 | Salt Lake City โ34% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 80$80 | $ 110$110 | Salt Lake City โ27% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 70$70 | $ 70$70 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 20$20 | $ 35$35 | Salt Lake City โ43% |
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, Salt Lake City or San Francisco?
Salt Lake City is 39% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $288 vs $391; a month $5,371 vs $10,400.
Which is easier to travel, Salt Lake City or San Francisco?
Salt Lake City is easier: Salt Lake City 1.4/5 vs San Francisco 1.6/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Salt Lake City and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Salt Lake City is about $5,371 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.