Home › Compare

Anchorage vs San Francisco: which is cheaper?

Anchorage is 10% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

I need $65,801 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

Pay for the same job

JobAnchorageSan FranciscoDifference
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 →

Anchorage vs St. LouisAnchorage vs PlanoAnchorage vs DurhamAnchorage vs Jersey CityAnchorage vs LincolnAnchorage vs GilbertSan Francisco vs IndianapolisSan Francisco vs CharlotteSan Francisco vs SeattleSan Francisco vs ColumbusSan Francisco vs DenverSan Francisco vs Fort Worth