Anchorage is 10% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in San Francisco to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$1,651
$3,201
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,565
$3,312
💵 Families earn per year
$111,392
$152,036
🔑 Buying a house
$395,900
$1,394,500
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
105.4
115.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$4,982
$9,862
⚡ Electric bill per month
$136
$104
👥 People living there
288,976
830,235
Commute to work
18.8 min
30.4 min
College degree
38.7%
60.3%
Own their home
63.9%
38.2%
Below poverty line
8.9%
11.2%
Unemployment
4.6%
6.1%
Bottom line
- Pick Anchorage for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes and 3 more.
- Pick San Francisco for higher incomes, a more educated workforce.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Anchorage | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $104,030 | $186,640 | +79% in San Francisco |
| Market Research Analyst | $68,720 | $123,250 | +79% in San Francisco |
| Firefighter | $64,810 | $113,700 | +75% in San Francisco |
| Registered Nurse | $115,290 | $186,610 | +62% in San Francisco |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $26,080 | $38,860 | +49% in San Francisco |
| Nurse Practitioner | $157,430 | $219,080 | +39% in San Francisco |
| Lawyer | $153,590 | $212,500 | +38% in San Francisco |
| Accountant | $82,150 | $110,730 | +35% in San Francisco |
Frequently asked questions
Is Anchorage or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Anchorage is about 10% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,651 a month there versus $3,201 in San Francisco.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $60,000 in Anchorage?
About $65,801 a year gives the same standard of living in San Francisco.
Where do people earn more, Anchorage or San Francisco?
The typical household earns $111,392 in Anchorage and $152,036 in San Francisco, 27% more in San Francisco.
More comparisons
All Anchorage comparisons → · All San Francisco comparisons →