Boston, MA vs. San Francisco, CA: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Boston and San Francisco, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 666,442 | 830,235 | +24.6% |
| Median household income | $97,344 | $140,970 | +44.8% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $2,147 | $2,476 | +15.3% |
| Median home value | $731,700 | $1,394,500 | +90.6% |
Difference is San Francisco, CA relative to Boston, MA.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Massachusetts 105.8, California 110.7, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Boston, MA buys about as much as $104,693 in San Francisco, CA.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $85,880 | $99,040 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 26.5% | 21.1% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $355,105 | $514,249 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.