Cost of living comparison between San Francisco (United States) and Los Angeles (United States)
| Food | 11% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Francisco (United States) is 11% more expensive than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | $11.90 | $11.38 | 5% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | $6.15 | $5.80 | 6% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | $5.26 | $4.23 | 24% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.80 | $2.54 | 10% |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.12 | $2.72 | 15% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.72 | $3.60 | 3% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.92 | $5.20 | 14% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.66 | $3.31 | 11% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | $3.50 | $3.17 | 11% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | $2.54 | $2.27 | 12% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15.30 | $11.85 | 29% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | $2.04 | $1.79 | 14% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.44 | $2.21 | 11% |
| Housing | 31% | ||
| Housing in San Francisco (United States) is 31% more expensive than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | $2,603 | $1,862 | 40% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $106 | $146 | 27% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | $45 | $40 | 13% |
| 40” flat screen TV | $835 | $620 | 35% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | $52 | $97 | 46% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $8.29 | $8.43 | 2% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $26 | $21 | 27% |
| Clothes | 23% | ||
| Clothes in San Francisco (United States) is 23% more expensive than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | $48 | $40 | 18% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | $42 | $35 | 22% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | $80 | $74 | 9% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | $103 | $71 | 45% |
| Transportation | 4% | ||
| Transportation in San Francisco (United States) is 4% more expensive than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $20,499 | $19,722 | 4% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 | $1.16 | 9% |
| monthly ticket public transport | $68 | $64 | 7% |
| Personal Care | 14% | ||
| Personal Care in San Francisco (United States) is 14% more expensive than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | $11.87 | $9.58 | 24% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | $5.59 | $6.09 | 8% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.29 | $3.59 | 9% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.92 | $4.82 | 23% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.31 | $3.49 | 5% |
| Tube of toothpaste | $3.54 | $3.01 | 18% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 | $18.26 | 46% |
| Entertainment | 14% | ||
| Entertainment in San Francisco (United States) is 14% more expensive than in Los Angeles (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $46 | $38 | 20% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $22 | $23 | 5% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $167 | $96 | 75% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | $90 | $78 | 15% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $9.89 | $10.23 | 3% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | $3.75 | $4.29 | 13% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | $5.07 | $5.27 | 4% |
| iPod nano 8GB (6th generation) | $150 | $156 | 4% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.11 | $0.21 | 47% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | $76 | $41 | 86% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | $6.25 | $5.79 | 8% |
| TOTAL | 18% | ||
These prices were last updated on February 04, 2012.
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,127 prices entered by 481 different people.
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Cost of living in San Francisco (United States) is 18% more expensive than in Los Angeles (United States)
For example, you would need at least $2,834
in San Francisco
to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with
$2,400
in Los Angeles.