Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is about the same as in Geneva (Switzerland)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 360 prices entered by 59 different people.
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| Food | - 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is 8% cheaper than in Geneva (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Geneva | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $25 (CHF 23) | CHF 26 | - 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 (CHF 12) | CHF 16 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (CHF 7) | CHF 13 | - 45% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.09 (CHF 1.91) | CHF 1.84 | + 4% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $8 (CHF 7) | CHF 8 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $8 (CHF 7) | CHF 3.96 | + 73% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $13 (CHF 12) | CHF 10 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.55 (CHF 4.16) | CHF 4.42 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.67 (CHF 2.44) | CHF 3.67 | - 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.93 (CHF 4.50) | CHF 3.45 | + 30% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (CHF 17) | CHF 12 | + 42% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.68 (CHF 3.36) | CHF 3.44 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.27 (CHF 2.98) | CHF 2.96 | + 1% | |
| Housing | + 6% | |||
| Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 6% more expensive than in Geneva (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Geneva | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,801 (CHF 3,470) | CHF 4,046 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,846 (CHF 3,511) | CHF 3,152 | + 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $146 (CHF 134) | CHF 214 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,202 (CHF 2,923) | CHF 2,352 | + 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,856 (CHF 2,607) | CHF 1,681 | + 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $177 (CHF 162) | CHF 114 | + 42% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $47 (CHF 43) | CHF 45 | - 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 (CHF 247) | CHF 547 | - 55% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $145 (CHF 132) | CHF 180 | - 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 (CHF 11) | CHF 18 | - 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $38 (CHF 35) | CHF 28 | + 26% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 15% cheaper than in Geneva (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Geneva | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $70 (CHF 64) | CHF 98 | - 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (CHF 46) | CHF 51 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $120 (CHF 110) | CHF 132 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $223 (CHF 203) | CHF 181 | + 12% | |
| Transportation | + 1% | |||
| Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is about the same as in Geneva (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Geneva | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $32,526 (CHF 29,694) | CHF 34,446 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.26 (CHF 1.15) | CHF 1.88 | - 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $96 (CHF 87) | CHF 71 | + 23% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $21 (CHF 20) | CHF 34 | - 43% | |
| Personal Care | + 4% | |||
| Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is about the same as in Geneva (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Geneva | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (CHF 8) | CHF 11 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (CHF 12) | CHF 29 | - 57% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $232 (CHF 211) | CHF 129 | + 64% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $13 (CHF 12) | CHF 8 | + 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.92 (CHF 4.49) | CHF 4.09 | + 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (CHF 8) | CHF 4.72 | + 62% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.91 (CHF 5.40) | CHF 4.79 | + 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.92 (CHF 2.67) | CHF 4.28 | - 38% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (CHF 28) | CHF 46 | - 39% | |
| Entertainment | - 21% | |||
| Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 21% cheaper than in Geneva (Switzerland) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Geneva | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $66 (CHF 61) | CHF 94 | - 36% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $36 (CHF 33) | CHF 45 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $383 (CHF 350) | CHF 119 | + 193% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $150 (CHF 137) | CHF 154 | - 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $17 (CHF 16) | CHF 22 | - 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (CHF 5.81) | CHF 5.45 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $10 (CHF 9) | CHF 8 | + 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $376 (CHF 344) | CHF 589 | - 42% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.28 (CHF 0.25) | CHF 0.39 | - 35% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $96 (CHF 87) | CHF 137 | - 36% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 (CHF 12) | CHF 9 | + 39% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 3% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 360 prices entered by 59 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require CHF 12,000 in Geneva you would need to make just about CHF 11,626 ($12,735) in San Francisco, California.
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