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Los Angeles vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 113.6 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $77,270 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $55,850 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,040 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $60,080 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $968,608 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $93,525 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 10.4 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 13,012,469 | 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: Los Angeles to San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Los Angeles to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.018.
| Salary in Los Angeles | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Los Angeles | $50,901 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles | $76,352 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles | $101,802 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles | $152,704 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles | $203,605 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Los Angeles and San Francisco
| Job | Los Angeles | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,890 | $38,810 | $31,603 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $161,900 | $193,430 | $142,560 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $41,080 | $44,620 | $36,173 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $157,110 | $177,240 | $138,342 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $140,370 | $176,900 | $123,602 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $43,010 | $47,290 | $37,872 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $39,550 | $43,260 | $34,826 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $50,980 | $56,950 | $44,890 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,070 | $51,280 | $38,806 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $88,570 | $110,360 | $77,990 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $43,050 | $48,720 | $37,907 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $42,640 | $46,460 | $37,546 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $43,880 | $50,270 | $38,638 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,400 | $47,210 | $37,335 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $99,740 | $120,780 | $87,826 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Los Angeles vs San Francisco: questions
Is Los Angeles more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Los Angeles?
About $101,802, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Los Angeles 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.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.