San Francisco vs New York Cost of Living

San Francisco (United States) · Overall index 95.1New York (United States) · Overall index 100.0

Summary

  • Overall, New York is 5% more expensive than San Francisco.
  • Rent in New York is 11% more expensive than in San Francisco.
  • Groceries in New York is 7% more expensive than in San Francisco.
ItemSan FranciscoNew YorkDiff
Rent+11%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$3,208$4,328+35%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$2,609$2,796+7%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$7,487$7,980+7%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$4,864$4,915+1%
Groceries+7%
Milk (1L)$1.31$1.48+13%
White bread (500g)$4.2$4.03-4%
Rice (1kg)$5.82$5.54-5%
Eggs (12)$4.57$5.18+13%
Local cheese (1kg)$16.3$16.5+1%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$12.6$13.6+8%
Beef round (1kg)$22.3$22.8+2%
Apples (1kg)$5.88$6.73+14%
Bananas (1kg)$2.46$2.56+4%
Oranges (1kg)$4.54$5.31+17%
Tomatoes (1kg)$5.5$6.04+10%
Potatoes (1kg)$3.06$3.01-2%
Onions (1kg)$2.72$3.09+14%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.75$2.85+4%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.41$2.81+17%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$15.4$17+10%
Transport-2%
Public transport, one-way ticket$3.1$2.75-11%
Public transport, monthly pass$139$145+4%
Taxi, base fare$4.48$4.13-8%
Taxi, per km$1.91$2.06+8%
Gasoline (1L)$0.99$0.93-6%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$27,640$29,178+6%
Dining out+6%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$21.5$25.5+19%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$115$140+22%
Fast food combo meal$11.6$12.7+9%
Cappuccino$5.52$5.58+1%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$3.04$3.23+6%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$8.59$8.19-5%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$8.71$8.34-4%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$2.32$2.48+7%
Telecom-4%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$68.5$64.2-6%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$71.8$66.9-7%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.37$0.38+3%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$15.8$14.9-6%
Utilities & household0%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$176$173-2%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.23$0.25+9%
Tap water (1m³)$5.1$4.81-6%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.47$1.75+19%
Waste collection (monthly)$25.8$23.6-9%
Fitness club (monthly)$94.8$94.70%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$17.5$16.6-5%
Men's haircut$33.2$36.8+11%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$29.6$25.1-15%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$2,199$2,473+12%

3,242 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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