Quick answer
Boston is 36% cheaper than San Francisco overall. A $100K salary in San Francisco is equivalent to $64,000 in Boston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
San Francisco vs Boston Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Boston is 36% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-7% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$64,000
San Francisco vs Boston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,800/mo
$2,600/mo
-7%
2BR median rent
$3,800/mo
$3,400/mo
-11%
Median home price
$1,100K
$720K
-35%
Avg monthly groceries
$460
$420
-9%
Avg monthly utilities
$125
$160
+28%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
5%
Boston saves
Walk score
88/100
83/100
San Francisco better
Transit score
80/100
75/100
San Francisco better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Boston to maintain the same standard of living as your current San Francisco salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$39,000
$93,000
$80,000
$52,000
$124,000
$100,000
$64,000
$155,000
$120,000
$77,000
$186,000
$150,000
$97,000
$233,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: San Francisco vs Boston
Who Each City Is Best For
San Francisco is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech professionals
- ✓high earners
- ✓urban walkability seekers
Boston is best for
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓academics / researchers
- ✓healthcare workers
- ✓finance professionals
FAQs
Is San Francisco or Boston cheaper to live in?
Boston is 36% cheaper than San Francisco overall. Boston 1BR rent ($2,600/mo) vs San Francisco ($2,800/mo). Median home price: Boston $720K vs San Francisco $1,100K.
How much salary do I need in Boston to match $100K in San Francisco?
$64,000 in Boston is equivalent to $100,000 in San Francisco based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-7% difference) and state taxes (San Francisco: Up to 13.3% vs Boston: 5%).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Boston?
1BR: San Francisco $2,800/mo vs Boston $2,600/mo (-7%). 2BR: San Francisco $3,800/mo vs Boston $3,400/mo (-11%).
Does San Francisco or Boston have lower taxes?
San Francisco (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Boston (MA) has 5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$8,300.