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San Francisco vs Washington: prices, pay and housing
| San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 115.6 | 108.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $100,220 | $91,930 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $74,260 | $71,060 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $86,686 | $84,429 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $74,106 | $68,657 |
| Typical home value | $1,149,215 | $583,013 |
| Median household income | $133,780 | $123,896 |
| Home price / household income | 8.6 | 4.7 |
| Metro population | 4,653,593 | 6,263,796 |
*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 Washington
To keep the same standard of living when moving from San Francisco to Washington, multiply your salary by 0.942.
| Salary in San Francisco | Same buying power in Washington |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in San Francisco | $47,090 in Washington |
| $75,000 in San Francisco | $70,635 in Washington |
| $100,000 in San Francisco | $94,180 in Washington |
| $150,000 in San Francisco | $141,270 in Washington |
| $200,000 in San Francisco | $188,359 in Washington |
Salaries for common jobs in San Francisco and Washington
| Job | San Francisco | Washington | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $177,240 | $163,620 | $153,305 / $150,270 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $123,860 | $113,390 | $107,133 / $104,138 |
| Software Developers | $193,430 | $153,100 | $167,308 / $140,608 |
| Retail Salespersons | $47,290 | $39,600 | $40,904 / $36,369 |
| Management Analysts | $137,410 | $145,310 | $118,853 / $133,454 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $44,620 | $35,550 | $38,594 / $32,649 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $48,720 | $39,660 | $42,141 / $36,424 |
| Cashiers | $43,260 | $36,630 | $37,418 / $33,641 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,810 | $39,110 | $33,569 / $35,919 |
| Lawyers | $237,060 | $226,780 | $205,046 / $208,277 |
| Registered Nurses | $176,900 | $104,590 | $153,010 / $96,056 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $46,460 | $51,820 | $40,186 / $47,592 |
| Managers, All Other | $211,720 | $176,670 | $183,128 / $162,255 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $120,780 | $113,640 | $104,469 / $104,368 |
| Security Guards | $50,270 | $54,430 | $43,481 / $49,989 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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San Francisco vs Washington: questions
Is San Francisco more expensive than Washington?
Yes. BEA prices are 115.6 in San Francisco, CA and 108.9 in Washington, DC (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Washington to match $100,000 in San Francisco?
About $94,180, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, San Francisco or Washington?
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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