Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and San Francisco, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and San Francisco, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,503 per month in New York, NY vs $4,524 in San Francisco, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,077 per month in New York, NY vs $6,566 in San Francisco, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,650 per month in New York, NY vs $8,608 in San Francisco, CA, rent included.

New York, NY and San Francisco, CA have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both New York, NY and San Francisco, CA sit above the global median – New York, NY by 236%, San Francisco, CA by 238%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.28 $30.28

$25.26 $25.26

19.87%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$131 $131

8.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.65 $12.65

$14.76 $14.76

-14.30%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$5.99 $5.99

-3.01%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 $3.26

$3.34 $3.34

-2.40%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.56 $2.56

0.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.19 $8.19

$7.93 $7.93

3.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$11.82 $11.82

$8.11 $8.11

45.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.47 $1.47

4.08%

White Bread (500g)

$5.27 $5.27

$5.16 $5.16

2.13%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$8.34 $8.34

$6.70 $6.70

24.48%

Eggs

$7.25 $7.25

$6.24 $6.24

16.19%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.29 $17.29

$23.76 $23.76

-27.23%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$15.14 $15.14

7.07%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.82 $19.82

$23.76 $23.76

-16.58%

Apples (1kg)

$7.57 $7.57

$7.19 $7.19

5.29%

Banana (1kg)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.88 $2.88

-15.97%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.83 $5.83

$5.37 $5.37

8.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.39 $6.39

$7.69 $7.69

-16.91%

Potato (1kg)

$3.87 $3.87

$3.77 $3.77

2.65%

Onion (1kg)

$4.06 $4.06

$3.96 $3.96

2.53%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.79 $2.79

11.83%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.83 $2.83

-13.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.26 $19.26

$13.93 $13.93

38.26%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.96 $19.96

$15.20 $15.20

31.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.53 $2.53

18.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.25 $3.25

14.77%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.84 $2.84

$3.02 $3.02

-5.96%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$134 $134

$93.3 $93.3

43.97%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.11 $4.11

24.33%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.98 $1.98

6.57%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.31 $42.31

$38.33 $38.33

10.38%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$1.28 $1.28

-24.22%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$34.7K $34.7K

$35.6K $35.6K

-2.55%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.8K $27.8K

$25.6K $25.6K

8.41%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$181 $181

$225 $225

-19.50%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.2 $60.2

$63.5 $63.5

-5.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.5 $62.5

$66.8 $66.8

-6.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$143 $143

$97.3 $97.3

47.07%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$65.3 $65.3

$12.45 $12.45

424.18%

Cinema Ticket

$19.98 $19.98

$16.76 $16.76

19.21%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$3,216 $3,216

$3,149 $3,149

2.12%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$57.2K $57.2K

$38.6K $38.6K

48.27%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.5 $67.5

$67.8 $67.8

-0.40%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.68 $47.68

$45.33 $45.33

5.18%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$111 $111

$101 $101

9.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$169 $169

$148 $148

14.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,092 $4,092

$3,349 $3,349

22.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,694 $2,694

$2,760 $2,760

-2.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$8,445 $8,445

$5,323 $5,323

58.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,128 $5,128

$4,574 $4,574

12.10%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.2K $18.2K

$10.8K $10.8K

68.20%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,299 $6,299

$9,239 $9,239

-31.82%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,540 $5,540

$7,632 $7,632

-27.42%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.36

1.26%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New York, NY: June 1, 2026

Last update for San Francisco, CA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,092 in New York, NY versus $3,349 in San Francisco, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 38% higher in San Francisco, CA. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $142 in New York, NY versus $131 in San Francisco, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $554 in New York, NY vs $563 in San Francisco, CA – so New York, NY wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

New York, NY vs San Francisco, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,754 per month in New York, NY and $6,785 in San Francisco, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in New York, NY, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 2% more in San Francisco, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

Kindergarten costs $3,216 per month in New York, NY and $3,149 in San Francisco, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,503 in New York, NY and $4,524 in San Francisco, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. New York, NY costs $4,503 versus $4,524 in San Francisco, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with New York, NY. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Francisco, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.