Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ San Francisco vs Washington, D.C.
San Francisco vs Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C. is 16% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $10,236 a month in San Francisco feels like about $8,052 in Washington, D.C. β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$442 vs $396
Per month
$10,236 vs $8,052
Local meal
$ 20 vs $ 17
$20 vs $17
Taxi 5 km
$ 21 vs $ 18
$21 vs $18
At a glance
FoodWashington, D.C. 14% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksWashington, D.C. 9% cheaper
TransportWashington, D.C. 16% cheaper
StayWashington, D.C. 16% cheaper
FunWashington, D.C. 10% cheaper
- Where Washington, D.C. is clearly cheaper: Transit (27%β), Studio rent (month) (24%β), Convenience store (21%β)
Item by item
| Item | San Francisco | Washington, D.C. | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 20$20 | $ 17$17 | Washington, D.C. β15% |
| Street food1 item | $ 9$9 | $ 7.7$7.7 | Washington, D.C. β14% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 55$55 | $ 48$48 | Washington, D.C. β13% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 6$6 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Washington, D.C. β8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 9$9 | $ 8$8 | Washington, D.C. β11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 23$23 | $ 21$21 | Washington, D.C. β9% |
| Bottled water | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2$2 | Washington, D.C. β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 6.3$6.3 | $ 5$5 | Washington, D.C. β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 21$21 | $ 18$18 | Washington, D.C. β14% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 13$13 | $ 12$12 | Washington, D.C. β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.75$2.75 | $ 2$2 | Washington, D.C. β27% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 67$67 | $ 60$60 | Washington, D.C. β10% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 250$250 | $ 230$230 | Washington, D.C. β8% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,300$3,300 | $ 2,500$2,500 | Washington, D.C. β24% |
| Laundry | $ 4.5$4.5 | $ 4$4 | Washington, D.C. β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 28$28 | $ 25$25 | Washington, D.C. β11% |
| Haircutcut | $ 39$39 | $ 35$35 | Washington, D.C. β10% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 110$110 | $ 100$100 | Washington, D.C. β9% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 100$100 | $ 90$90 | Washington, D.C. β10% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 28$28 | $ 25$25 | Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. is 16% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $442 vs $396; a month $10,236 vs $8,052.
How do monthly costs compare between San Francisco and Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, San Francisco is about $10,236 and Washington, D.C. about $8,052 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.