Philadelphia is 13% 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
$1,814
$3,201
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,623
$3,312
💵 Families earn per year
$66,816
$152,036
🔑 Buying a house
$243,100
$1,394,500
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
102.6
115.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$2,003
$9,862
⚡ Electric bill per month
$112
$104
👥 People living there
1,579,706
830,235
Commute to work
31.7 min
30.4 min
College degree
35.4%
60.3%
Own their home
51.8%
38.2%
Below poverty line
21.4%
11.2%
Unemployment
8.1%
6.1%
Bottom line
- Pick Philadelphia for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes.
- Pick San Francisco for higher incomes, shorter commutes, a more educated workforce and 2 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Philadelphia | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,180 | $186,610 | +84% in San Francisco |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,700 | $219,080 | +61% in San Francisco |
| Market Research Analyst | $79,420 | $123,250 | +55% in San Francisco |
| Police Officer | $89,580 | $132,000 | +47% in San Francisco |
| Firefighter | $78,050 | $113,700 | +46% in San Francisco |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,820 | $146,760 | +46% in San Francisco |
| Carpenter | $61,780 | $89,200 | +44% in San Francisco |
| Software Developer | $133,040 | $186,640 | +40% in San Francisco |
Frequently asked questions
Is Philadelphia or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Philadelphia is about 13% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,814 a month there versus $3,201 in San Francisco.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $60,000 in Philadelphia?
About $67,640 a year gives the same standard of living in San Francisco.
Where do people earn more, Philadelphia or San Francisco?
The typical household earns $66,816 in Philadelphia and $152,036 in San Francisco, 56% more in San Francisco.
More comparisons
All Philadelphia comparisons → · All San Francisco comparisons →