City comparison
🇺🇸 San Francisco vs 🇺🇸 Los Angeles
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, taxes, and quality of life for expats.
Quick verdict
More affordable
Los Angeles
17% cheaper overall
Higher quality of life
San Francisco
7.5/10 vs 7.5/10
Cost of living comparison
| Category | 🇺🇸 San Francisco | 🇺🇸 Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, center) | €3,143 | €2,168 |
| Rent (1-bed, suburb) | €2,386 | €1,958 |
| Groceries (single) | €389 | €372 |
| Transport pass | €78 | €91 |
| Restaurant (2 people) | €104 | €95 |
| Monthly budget (moderate) | €4,200 | €3,400 |
Quality of life
| Metric | 🇺🇸 San Francisco | 🇺🇸 Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 7.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| Safety | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 |
| Healthcare | 8.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Education | 8.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Expat Community | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| English Proficiency | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Tax & practical info
🇺🇸
San Francisco
United StatesTax regimeCalifornia progressive to 13.3%
ClimateCool Mediterranean
Nomad visa–
Effective tax rate30–34%
Avg. salary€120,000–€200,000
🇺🇸
Los Angeles
United StatesTax regimeCalifornia progressive to 13.3%
ClimateMediterranean
Nomad visa–
Effective tax rate28–32%
Avg. salary€100,000–€160,000
Crunch the numbers
Use our calculators to compare your actual take-home pay and monthly budget.
These figures are indicative and based on public datasets. They are not tax advice. Consult a licensed tax advisor or financial professional before making relocation or employment decisions.
EXPATRIATION.IO
Going further with your move?
Explore expatriation.io for the guides, tools and resources to plan your expatriation, all in one place.