San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Boston is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in San Francisco are 9.3% higher, and housing prices differ the most (188.6 in San Francisco vs 155.3 in Boston). A single adult's modelled budget is $4,378 a month in San Francisco and $3,718 in Boston.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 122.3 | 111.8 |
| BEA index for the area | 115.6 | 108.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 188.6 | 155.3 |
| Goods | 108.5 | 99.7 |
| Utilities | 172.6 | 148.8 |
| Other services | 106.2 | 103.6 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $4,378 | $3,718 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $6,778 | $5,536 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $8,059 | $6,405 |
| Median gross rent | $2,476 | $2,147 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $2,455 | $2,012 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $3,124 | $2,248 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $3,469 | $2,281 |
| Median home value | $1,394,500 | $731,700 |
| Median household income | $140,970 | $97,344 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 25.1% | 30.6% |
| Home value ÷ income | 9.9× | 7.5× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 29.75 | 30.48 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $5.75 | $4.10 |
| Population | 830,235 | 666,442 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco price index by category, US average = 100: All items 122.3, Housing (rents) 188.6, Goods 108.5, Utilities 172.6, Other services 106.2
Boston, MA
Boston price index by category, US average = 100: All items 111.8, Housing (rents) 155.3, Goods 99.7, Utilities 148.8, Other services 103.6
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | San Francisco | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $3,305 | $2,107 | −$1,198 |
| Utilities | $756 | $703 | −$53 |
| Food at home | $806 | $740 | −$66 |
| Transportation | $2,089 | $1,799 | −$290 |
| Health care | $645 | $629 | −$16 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $458 | $427 | −$31 |
| Total | $8,059 | $6,405 | −$1,654 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Boston more expensive than San Francisco?
No. Overall prices in Boston, MA (index 111.8) are 8.5% lower than in San Francisco, CA (index 122.3), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in housing (rents): 155.3 vs 188.6.
What salary do I need in Boston to match $60,000 in San Francisco?
About $54,900. Going the other way, $60,000 in Boston buys about as much as $65,600 in San Francisco. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in San Francisco or Boston?
Median gross rent is $2,476 in San Francisco and $2,147 in Boston (−13.3% in Boston; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $1,394,500 and $731,700.
Notes
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources