Quick answer
Raleigh is 131% cheaper than San Francisco overall. A $100K salary in Raleigh is equivalent to $231,000 in San Francisco.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh vs San Francisco Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Raleigh is 131% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+89% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$231,000
Raleigh vs San Francisco: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,480/mo
$2,800/mo
+89%
2BR median rent
$1,860/mo
$3,800/mo
+104%
Median home price
$420K
$1,100K
+162%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$460
+31%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$125
-14%
State income tax
4.5%
Up to 13.3%
Raleigh saves
Walk score
34/100
88/100
San Francisco better
Transit score
25/100
80/100
San Francisco better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living as your current Raleigh salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$139,000
$26,000
$80,000
$185,000
$35,000
$100,000
$231,000
$43,000
$120,000
$278,000
$52,000
$150,000
$347,000
$65,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Raleigh vs San Francisco
Who Each City Is Best For
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
San Francisco is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech professionals
- ✓high earners
- ✓urban walkability seekers
FAQs
Is Raleigh or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is 131% cheaper than San Francisco overall. Raleigh 1BR rent ($1,480/mo) vs San Francisco ($2,800/mo). Median home price: Raleigh $420K vs San Francisco $1,100K.
How much salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100K in Raleigh?
$231,000 in San Francisco is equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+89% difference) and state taxes (Raleigh: 4.5% vs San Francisco: Up to 13.3%).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and San Francisco?
1BR: Raleigh $1,480/mo vs San Francisco $2,800/mo (+89%). 2BR: Raleigh $1,860/mo vs San Francisco $3,800/mo (+104%).
Does Raleigh or San Francisco have lower taxes?
Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. San Francisco (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$8,800.