Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 150% more expensive than in Quito (Ecuador)
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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 963 prices entered by 113 different people.
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Food | + 113% | |||
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Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is 113% more expensive than in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Quito | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 | $10 | + 104% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 | $8 | + 66% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 | $2.95 | + 153% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.62 | $1.07 | + 52% | |
12 eggs, large | $7 | $2.54 | + 167% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.99 | $1.04 | + 477% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 | $4.68 | + 77% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.19 | $2.24 | + 87% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.22 | $1.39 | + 59% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $5.39 | $1.42 | + 278% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 | $13 | + 19% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $2.98 | $2.06 | + 44% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.60 | $1.07 | + 144% | |
Housing | + 445% | |||
Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 445% more expensive than in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Quito | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,795 | $764 | + 528% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,484 | $376 | + 827% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 | $49 | + 263% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,320 | $481 | + 590% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,748 | $286 | + 861% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $113 | $27 | + 313% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $45 | $25 | + 79% | |
40” flat screen tv | $257 | $417 | - 38% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $147 | $129 | + 14% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $7 | + 76% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 | $7 | + 443% | |
Clothes | - 16% | |||
Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 16% cheaper than in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Quito | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $72 | $72 | + 1% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $39 | $63 | - 37% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $116 | $107 | + 8% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $169 | $110 | + 53% | |
Transportation | + 118% | |||
Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is 118% more expensive than in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Quito | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $31,662 | $20,778 | + 52% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.43 | $1.59 | - 10% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $83 | $23 | + 257% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $19 | $8 | + 141% | |
Personal Care | + 71% | |||
Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is 71% more expensive than in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Quito | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 | $6 | + 41% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 | $9 | + 56% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $146 | $48 | + 202% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 | $7 | + 8% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.47 | $4.42 | + 1% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $9 | $7 | + 23% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.48 | $2.34 | + 134% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $2.39 | $2.49 | - 4% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 | $14 | + 117% | |
Entertainment | + 59% | |||
Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 59% more expensive than in Quito (Ecuador) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
San Francisco, California | Quito | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $63 | $27 | + 138% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $34 | $12 | + 178% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $371 | $42 | + 783% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $136 | $49 | + 180% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $18 | $11 | + 57% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.62 | $3.57 | + 58% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 | $2.19 | + 272% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $343 | $825 | - 58% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.25 | $0.32 | - 23% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $87 | $74 | + 18% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 | $5.45 | + 138% | |
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TOTAL | + 150% |

These prices were last updated on September 24, 2023.
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For example, you would need at least $6,001 in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $2,400 in Quito.
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