Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ San Francisco vs Vancouver
San Francisco vs Vancouver 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
π¨π¦ VancouverVancouver is 39% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $10,236 a month in San Francisco feels like about $6,022 in Vancouver β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$442 vs $283
Per month
$10,236 vs $6,022
Local meal
$ 20 vs C$ 20
$20 vs $14.7
Taxi 5 km
$ 21 vs C$ 16
$21 vs $11.8
At a glance
FoodVancouver 31% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksVancouver 33% cheaper
TransportVancouver 23% cheaper
StayVancouver 40% cheaper
FunVancouver 22% cheaper
- Where Vancouver is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (44%β), Taxi (44%β), Restaurant dinner (40%β)
Item by item
| Item | San Francisco | Vancouver | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 20$20 | C$ 20$14.7 | Vancouver β26% |
| Street food1 item | $ 9$9 | C$ 9$6.62 | Vancouver β26% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 55$55 | C$ 45$33.1 | Vancouver β40% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6$6 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | Vancouver β33% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 9$9 | C$ 8$5.88 | Vancouver β35% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 23$23 | C$ 21$15.4 | Vancouver β33% |
| Bottled water | $ 2.5$2.5 | C$ 2.5$1.84 | Vancouver β26% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 6.3$6.3 | C$ 6.3$4.63 | Vancouver β26% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 21$21 | C$ 16$11.8 | Vancouver β44% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 13$13 | C$ 16$11.8 | Vancouver β10% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.75$2.75 | C$ 3.2$2.35 | Vancouver β14% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 67$67 | C$ 68$50 | Vancouver β25% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 250$250 | C$ 220$162 | Vancouver β35% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,300$3,300 | C$ 2,500$1,838 | Vancouver β44% |
| Laundry | $ 4.5$4.5 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | Vancouver β10% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 28$28 | C$ 34$25 | Vancouver β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 39$39 | C$ 39$28.7 | Vancouver β26% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 110$110 | C$ 110$80.9 | Vancouver β26% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 100$100 | C$ 110$80.9 | Vancouver β19% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 28$28 | C$ 30$22.1 | Vancouver β21% |
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 Vancouver?
Vancouver is 39% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $442 vs $283; a month $10,236 vs $6,022.
How do monthly costs compare between San Francisco and Vancouver?
With a short-term studio and living costs, San Francisco is about $10,236 and Vancouver about $6,022 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.