Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 60% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 579 prices entered by 88 different people.
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| Food | + 66% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is 66% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (£16) | £11 | + 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (£10) | £6 | + 60% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (£6) | £3.77 | + 63% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.44 (£1.17) | £1.10 | + 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $7 (£5.62) | £3.44 | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.57 (£4.51) | £2.05 | + 120% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (£5.85) | £3.39 | + 73% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.18 (£3.39) | £2.03 | + 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.24 (£1.81) | £0.87 | + 108% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.42 (£3.58) | £1.81 | + 98% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (£13) | £8 | + 56% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.64 (£2.14) | £2.04 | + 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.69 (£2.18) | £0.91 | + 140% | |
| Housing | + 132% | |||
| Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 132% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,594 (£3,721) | £1,491 | + 150% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,407 (£2,760) | £1,037 | + 166% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $157 (£127) | £272 | - 53% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,674 (£2,976) | £852 | + 249% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,524 (£2,044) | £865 | + 136% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $101 (£82) | £84 | - 2% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $55 (£44) | £27 | + 63% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $358 (£290) | £347 | - 16% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $178 (£144) | £102 | + 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 (£10) | £7 | + 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $42 (£34) | £13 | + 164% | |
| Clothes | + 18% | |||
| Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 18% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $72 (£58) | £63 | - 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $37 (£30) | £28 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $115 (£93) | £67 | + 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $168 (£136) | £62 | + 119% | |
| Transportation | + 1% | |||
| Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is about the same as in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $33,029 (£26,755) | £24,000 | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.48 (£1.20) | £1.53 | - 22% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $81 (£65) | £65 | + 0% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 (£15) | £12 | + 29% | |
| Personal Care | + 41% | |||
| Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is 41% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (£7) | £7 | + 5% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $11 (£9) | £8 | + 19% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $132 (£107) | £100 | + 8% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (£5.74) | £3.66 | + 57% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.46 (£3.61) | £1.98 | + 82% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $9 (£7) | £3.40 | + 118% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.23 (£4.23) | £1.99 | + 113% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.38 (£1.93) | £1.92 | + 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $30 (£25) | £13 | + 85% | |
| Entertainment | + 56% | |||
| Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 56% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $59 (£48) | £23 | + 110% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (£24) | £18 | + 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $351 (£284) | £93 | + 206% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $125 (£102) | £49 | + 107% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $17 (£14) | £8 | + 67% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.67 (£4.59) | £3.15 | + 46% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $9 (£7) | £4.04 | + 72% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $343 (£278) | £444 | - 37% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.24 (£0.19) | £0.19 | + 4% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $79 (£64) | £31 | + 106% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $14 (£11) | £11 | - 1% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 60% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 579 prices entered by 88 different people.
These prices were last updated on April 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.810
GBP
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least £7,338 ($9,058) in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £4,600 in Birmingham.
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