San Francisco, CA vs. Washington, DC: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of San Francisco and Washington, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 830,235 | 681,294 | -17.9% |
| Median household income | $140,970 | $109,870 | -22.1% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $2,476 | $1,954 | -21.1% |
| Median home value | $1,394,500 | $737,100 | -47.1% |
Difference is Washington, DC relative to San Francisco, CA.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: California 110.7, District of Columbia 109.9, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in San Francisco, CA buys about as much as $99,260 in Washington, DC.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $99,040 | $78,160 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 21.1% | 21.3% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $514,249 | $400,799 |
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.