Salt Lake City vs San Francisco: cost of living compared
San Francisco is 99% more expensive than Salt Lake City overall. State income tax tops out around 4.65% in UT vs 9.3% in CA.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
Moving between Salt Lake City and San Francisco presents a stark contrast in living expenses. Salt Lake City offers a significantly more affordable cost of living overall. This difference is overwhelmingly driven by housing costs, which are substantially higher in San Francisco. While other categories like food, transportation, and utilities also show San Francisco to be more expensive, the housing market creates the biggest gap in household budgets.
Housing
Housing in San Francisco is dramatically more expensive, whether buying a home or renting an apartment. Median home prices are multiple times higher, and typical one-bedroom rents follow a similar pattern. San Francisco's housing stock often features denser, older buildings, while Salt Lake City offers more varied options, including newer single-family homes. Property taxes and insurance costs will also generally be higher in San Francisco due to elevated property values.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses are consistently higher in San Francisco across most categories. Food, healthcare, and utilities are all noticeably more expensive. Transportation costs are also greater, and the average commute time is longer. Furthermore, California's state income tax rate is considerably higher than Utah's, impacting take-home pay. This means routine spending on essentials will require a much larger portion of income in San Francisco.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Beyond costs, the metros offer distinct lifestyles. Salt Lake City experiences four distinct seasons, including significant snowfall, and is nestled against mountains, offering abundant outdoor recreation. It tends to be more car-dependent, though public transit exists. San Francisco has a milder, coastal climate often characterized by fog, with a dense urban environment supported by extensive public transportation. The pace of life and urban density differ considerably.
Bottom line
For households considering a move, the financial implications are substantial. Salt Lake City provides a much more budget-friendly environment, primarily due to significantly lower housing costs and more affordable everyday expenses, including a lower state income tax burden. San Francisco, while offering a unique urban lifestyle and climate, demands a considerably larger financial commitment for housing and nearly all other aspects of daily living.
| Measure | Salt Lake City, UT | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 108 | 215 |
| Housing index | 127 | 309 |
| Transportation index | 89 | 135 |
| Food index | 98 | 125 |
| Healthcare index | 98 | 122 |
| Utilities index | 95 | 148 |
| Misc index | 95 | 138 |
| Median home price | $498,000 | $1,250,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,550/mo | $3,450/mo |
| Average commute | 24 min | 34 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific San Francisco home with the True Cost Calculator.