City Cost Report
New York skyline
New York
San Francisco skyline
San Francisco
VS

San Francisco is 5% cheaper than New York overall.

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New YorkSan Francisco
Rent (1BR City Centre)$5,465.46 CAD$4,764.76 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$4,344.34 CAD$3,783.78 CAD
Groceries Index120122
Monthly Transit Pass$184.98 CAD$113.51 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$224.22 CAD$224.22 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.47 CAD$1.82 CAD
Mid-range Meal$42.04 CAD$39.24 CAD
Gym Membership$112.11 CAD$105.11 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$3,083.08 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 New York...

You would need $56,850 in San Francisco to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is New York cheaper than San Francisco?

San Francisco is 5% cheaper than New York overall.

How much is rent in New York vs San Francisco?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $3,900 USD per month in New York and $3,400 USD in San Francisco. Outside the centre, it is $3,100 USD in New York and $2,700 USD in San Francisco.

What salary do I need to move from New York to San Francisco?

On average, you need about 95% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in New York is roughly equivalent to $56,850 in San Francisco.

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