salaryWashington is 6% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in Washington to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$3,201
$2,370
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$3,312
$2,192
💵 Families earn per year
$152,036
$118,495
🔑 Buying a house
$1,394,500
$737,100
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
115.6
108.9
🏛️ Property tax per year
$9,862
$4,312
⚡ Electric bill per month
$104
$96
👥 People living there
830,235
681,294
Commute to work
30.4 min
30 min
College degree
60.3%
64.2%
Own their home
38.2%
41.5%
Below poverty line
11.2%
15.4%
Unemployment
6.1%
6.3%
Bottom line
- Pick San Francisco for higher incomes, less poverty, lower unemployment.
- Pick Washington for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes and 2 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | San Francisco | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $186,610 | $102,710 | -45% in Washington |
| Firefighter | $113,700 | $66,980 | -41% in Washington |
| Nurse Practitioner | $219,080 | $134,840 | -38% in Washington |
| Police Officer | $132,000 | $84,000 | -36% in Washington |
| Carpenter | $89,200 | $60,800 | -32% in Washington |
| Market Research Analyst | $123,250 | $87,160 | -29% in Washington |
| Medical Assistant | $59,790 | $46,640 | -22% in Washington |
| Elementary School Teacher | $101,860 | $79,470 | -22% in Washington |
Frequently asked questions
Is San Francisco or Washington cheaper to live in?
Washington is about 6% cheaper overall. Rent is $2,370 a month there versus $3,201 in San Francisco.
What salary do I need in Washington to match $60,000 in San Francisco?
About $56,508 a year gives the same standard of living in Washington.
Where do people earn more, San Francisco or Washington?
The typical household earns $152,036 in San Francisco and $118,495 in Washington, 28% more in San Francisco.
More comparisons
All San Francisco comparisons → · All Washington comparisons →