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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

Category
Raleigh
San Francisco
Diff

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.

Raleigh salary
San Francisco equivalent
San Francisco salary → Raleigh equiv.

$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

Raleigh, NC
1BR rent$1,480/mo
Groceries$350/mo
Utilities$145/mo
Transport (est.)$350/mo
State income tax4.5%
Essentials total$2,325/mo
San Francisco, CA
1BR rent$2,800/mo
Groceries$460/mo
Utilities$125/mo
Transport (est.)$350/mo
State income taxUp to 13.3%
Essentials total$3,735/mo

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.