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San Francisco vs Seattle: prices, pay and housing
| San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 115.6 | 111.1 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $100,220 | $91,790 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $74,260 | $72,610 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $86,686 | $82,595 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $74,106 | $73,404 |
| Typical home value | $1,149,215 | $750,279 |
| Median household income | $133,780 | $112,594 |
| Home price / household income | 8.6 | 6.7 |
| Metro population | 4,653,593 | 4,021,467 |
*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: San Francisco to Seattle
To keep the same standard of living when moving from San Francisco to Seattle, multiply your salary by 0.961.
| Salary in San Francisco | Same buying power in Seattle |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in San Francisco | $48,063 in Seattle |
| $75,000 in San Francisco | $72,094 in Seattle |
| $100,000 in San Francisco | $96,125 in Seattle |
| $150,000 in San Francisco | $144,188 in Seattle |
| $200,000 in San Francisco | $192,250 in Seattle |
Salaries for common jobs in San Francisco and Seattle
| Job | San Francisco | Seattle | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $193,430 | $174,920 | $167,308 / $157,397 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,810 | $49,500 | $33,569 / $44,541 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $44,620 | $42,260 | $38,594 / $38,027 |
| Retail Salespersons | $47,290 | $45,020 | $40,904 / $40,510 |
| Registered Nurses | $176,900 | $126,390 | $153,010 / $113,729 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $123,860 | $110,050 | $107,133 / $99,025 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $47,210 | $47,470 | $40,835 / $42,715 |
| Cashiers | $43,260 | $44,720 | $37,418 / $40,240 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $51,280 | $49,650 | $44,355 / $44,676 |
| General and Operations Managers | $177,240 | $169,740 | $153,305 / $152,736 |
| Office Clerks, General | $56,950 | $56,470 | $49,259 / $50,813 |
| Project Management Specialists | $140,820 | $133,590 | $121,803 / $120,207 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $48,720 | $49,380 | $42,141 / $44,433 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $46,460 | $62,940 | $40,186 / $56,635 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $61,320 | $56,350 | $53,039 / $50,705 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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San Francisco vs Seattle: questions
Is San Francisco more expensive than Seattle?
Yes. BEA prices are 115.6 in San Francisco, CA and 111.1 in Seattle, WA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Seattle to match $100,000 in San Francisco?
About $96,125, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, San Francisco or Seattle?
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.