San Francisco vs. Seattle: Salary & Cost of Living
San Francisco and Seattle are the two priciest West Coast tech hubs, but Seattle is cheaper and has no state income tax. Here is what a $220,000 San Francisco salary is worth in Seattle.
Equivalent salary
A $220,000 salary in San Francisco is worth about $185,179 in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living.
| Category | San Francisco | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 269 | 210 | -22% |
| Utilities | 162 | 141 | -13% |
| Transportation | 176 | 149 | -15% |
| Groceries | 149 | 132 | -11% |
| Healthcare | 140 | 126 | -10% |
| Childcare | 198 | 164 | -17% |
| Dining Out | 180 | 152 | -16% |
| Entertainment | 171 | 146 | -15% |
| Insurance | 153 | 135 | -12% |
| Consumer Goods | 145 | 129 | -11% |
State income tax: San Francisco 9.3% vs. Seattle 0%.
Median rent (2BR): $4,710 in San Francisco vs. $3,680 in Seattle. Median home price: $1,130,000 vs. $882,000.
Seattle is about 16% cheaper than San Francisco. Keeping your current salary there delivers a real purchasing-power gain of roughly $34,821 a year. Seattle also has a state income tax about 9.3 points lower, adding to your take-home advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Seattle cheaper than San Francisco?
- Yes. Seattle is cheaper than San Francisco, largely on housing, and Washington has no state income tax versus California’s high rates — so the take-home advantage of a Seattle move is larger than the cost gap alone.
- What salary do I need in Seattle to match San Francisco?
- You can usually preserve your San Francisco standard of living on a lower salary in Seattle. Model your exact equivalent number, including the tax difference, with the calculator above.
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