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Atlanta vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Atlanta, GA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 100.1 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $71,900 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $51,170 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $71,858 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,572 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $382,938 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $86,338 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 4.4 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 6,176,937 | 4,653,593 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Atlanta to San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Atlanta to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.155.
| Salary in Atlanta | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Atlanta | $57,773 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Atlanta | $86,659 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Atlanta | $115,546 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Atlanta | $173,319 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Atlanta | $231,092 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Atlanta and San Francisco
| Job | Atlanta | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $31,880 | $38,810 | $31,862 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $135,870 | $193,430 | $135,791 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,340 | $44,620 | $28,324 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $141,560 | $177,240 | $141,478 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $99,760 | $176,900 | $99,702 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $35,050 | $47,290 | $35,030 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $30,470 | $43,260 | $30,452 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $44,300 | $56,950 | $44,274 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,680 | $51,280 | $41,656 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $89,540 | $110,360 | $89,488 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $36,120 | $48,720 | $36,099 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,870 | $46,460 | $26,854 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $38,790 | $50,270 | $38,768 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,980 | $47,210 | $38,957 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $97,920 | $120,780 | $97,863 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Atlanta vs San Francisco: questions
Is Atlanta more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 100.1 in Atlanta, GA and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Atlanta?
About $115,546, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Atlanta or San Francisco?
San Francisco, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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