City Cost Report
Los Angeles skyline
Los Angeles
San Francisco skyline
San Francisco
VS

Los Angeles is 14% cheaper than San Francisco overall.

Swipe to see full comparison

Los AngelesSan Francisco
Rent (1BR City Centre)$3,503.50 CAD$4,764.76 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,872.87 CAD$3,783.78 CAD
Groceries Index112122
Monthly Transit Pass$140.14 CAD$113.51 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$210.21 CAD$224.22 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.75 CAD$1.82 CAD
Mid-range Meal$35.04 CAD$39.24 CAD
Gym Membership$77.08 CAD$105.11 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$2,382.38 CAD$3,223.22 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Los Angeles...

You would need $70,131 in San Francisco to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Los Angeles cheaper than San Francisco?

Los Angeles is 14% cheaper than San Francisco overall.

How much is rent in Los Angeles vs San Francisco?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,500 USD per month in Los Angeles and $3,400 USD in San Francisco. Outside the centre, it is $2,050 USD in Los Angeles and $2,700 USD in San Francisco.

What salary do I need to move from Los Angeles to San Francisco?

On average, you need about 117% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Los Angeles is roughly equivalent to $70,131 in San Francisco.

Related comparisons