City comparison guide

Cost of Living: New York vs San Francisco

Compare New York, NY and San Francisco, CA using gross monthly income of USD $10,000 and Livifi’s moderate lifestyle scenario.

Quick Verdict

San Francisco, CA leaves about $1,020 more disposable income per month than New York, NY in this scenario. San Francisco, CA has $1,752 left after estimated taxes and modeled expenses, compared with $732 in New York, NY.

Key Differences

  • Housing: $4,440 in New York, NY versus $3,351 in San Francisco, CA; San Francisco, CA is cheaper for the selected housing assumption.
  • Everyday expenses: $2,574 in New York, NY versus $2,643 in San Francisco, CA, covering groceries, restaurants, transport, and utilities.
  • Estimated monthly tax: $2,254 in New York, NY versus $2,254 in San Francisco, CA. Net monthly income is $7,746 and $7,746, respectively.
  • Disposable income and savings: $732 (9.4%) in New York, NY versus $1,752 (22.6%) in San Francisco, CA.

Who Wins?

Cheaper housingSan Francisco, CA
Lower everyday costsNew York, NY
Lower estimated taxNew York, NY
Higher disposable incomeSan Francisco, CA
Better savings potentialSan Francisco, CA

Want to explore your own situation?

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Assumptions: gross monthly income of USD $10,000; results displayed in USD; moderate lifestyle; 1-bedroom apartment; city center housing in New York, NY and city center housing in San Francisco, CA; 0 dependents; $0 additional monthly expenses. Tax values are estimates. Calculated on July 23, 2026.

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Aggregated cost-of-living data from multiple public sources, normalized into a single comparable model.

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Our cost of living calculations are based on aggregated cost-of-living data from multiple public sources, including government statistics, real estate listings, and consumer price indices from around the world.

Our dataset is updated periodically to keep estimates representative and to support informed comparisons between cities. Figures are intended for planning purposes and may differ from individual circumstances.

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How accurate are your cost calculations?

Our calculations are based on aggregated cost-of-living data from multiple public sources and are updated periodically. Estimates are intended for planning and comparison and may differ from individual circumstances.

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We support thousands of cities worldwide using aggregated cost-of-living datasets, including data derived from sources like Numbeo. Coverage spans major metropolitan areas and smaller cities across all continents.

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Livifi helps you make informed decisions about where to live by providing accurate, personalized cost of living analysis for major cities around the world.

Our mission is to empower people with the data they need to live smarter, anywhere in the world.

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