CostByCity

Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison

Boston, MA is more affordable by 7.3 index points

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryBoston, MASan Francisco, CADifference
Overall108.3115.6-7.3
Housing148.4194.7-46.3
Goods99.7108.5-8.8
Utilities148.8172.6-23.8
Other Services103.6106.2-2.6

Income & Housing Comparison

MetricBoston, MASan Francisco, CA
Median Household Income$107,117$129,315
Median Home Value$570,000$1,073,300
Median Monthly Rent$1,827$2,336
Per Capita Income$58,400$68,958

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Boston, MA or San Francisco, CA cheaper to live in?
Boston, MA is more affordable. The cost of living difference is 7.3 index points (Boston, MA: 108.3, San Francisco, CA: 115.6).
Where is housing cheaper, Boston, MA or San Francisco, CA?
Housing is more affordable in Boston, MA. Housing index: Boston, MA (148.4) vs San Francisco, CA (194.7).