Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ San Francisco vs Seattle
San Francisco vs Seattle cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ San Francisco
πΊπΈ SeattleSeattle is 17% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $10,236 a month in San Francisco feels like about $7,729 in Seattle β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$442 vs $396
Per month
$10,236 vs $7,729
Local meal
$ 20 vs $ 18
$20 vs $18
Taxi 5 km
$ 21 vs $ 20
$21 vs $20
At a glance
FoodSeattle 10% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksSeattle 9% cheaper
Transportsimilar
StaySeattle 21% cheaper
FunSeattle 10% cheaper
- Where Seattle is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (30%β), Convenience store (21%β), Bottled water (20%β)
Item by item
| Item | San Francisco | Seattle | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 20$20 | $ 18$18 | Seattle β10% |
| Street food1 item | $ 9$9 | $ 8.1$8.1 | Seattle β10% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 55$55 | $ 50$50 | Seattle β9% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6$6 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Seattle β8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 9$9 | $ 8$8 | Seattle β11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 23$23 | $ 21$21 | Seattle β9% |
| Bottled water | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2$2 | Seattle β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 6.3$6.3 | $ 5$5 | Seattle β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 21$21 | $ 20$20 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 13$13 | $ 12$12 | Seattle β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.75$2.75 | $ 3$3 | San Francisco β8% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 67$67 | $ 60$60 | Seattle β10% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 250$250 | $ 220$220 | Seattle β12% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,300$3,300 | $ 2,300$2,300 | Seattle β30% |
| Laundry | $ 4.5$4.5 | $ 4$4 | Seattle β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 28$28 | $ 25$25 | Seattle β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 39$39 | $ 35$35 | Seattle β10% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 110$110 | $ 100$100 | Seattle β9% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 100$100 | $ 90$90 | Seattle β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 28$28 | $ 25$25 | Seattle 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, San Francisco or Seattle?
Seattle is 17% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $442 vs $396; a month $10,236 vs $7,729.
How do monthly costs compare between San Francisco and Seattle?
With a short-term studio and living costs, San Francisco is about $10,236 and Seattle about $7,729 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.