City comparison

Boston vs San Francisco

San Francisco scores higher on salary; Boston has a lower cost of living. Compare Boston and San Francisco on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

San Francisco scores higher overall

San Francisco is a mixed trade-off compared to your current city

How they compare

If you want to save more

BostonOverall fitSan Francisco
66 / 65+1 Boston
BostonSavingsSan Francisco
60 / 56+4 Boston
BostonCareerSan Francisco
90 / 96+6 San
BostonLow pressureSan Francisco
59 / 60+1 San

If you want career growth

BostonOverall fitSan Francisco
78 / 81+3 San
BostonSavingsSan Francisco
60 / 56+4 Boston
BostonCareerSan Francisco
90 / 96+6 San
BostonLow pressureSan Francisco
59 / 60+1 San

If you want better balance

BostonOverall fitSan Francisco
70 / 71+1 San
BostonSavingsSan Francisco
60 / 56+4 Boston
BostonCareerSan Francisco
90 / 96+6 San
BostonLow pressureSan Francisco
59 / 60+1 San

Financial impact: moving from Boston to San Francisco

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$264
Monthly
-$3,168
1 year
-$9,504
3 years

Moving from Boston to San Francisco: trade-offs

You lose

-$264/mo estimated net reduction — $3,168 over the first year

Boston

US
Salary index
96
Cost index
80
Rent pressure
41
Opportunity
86

San Francisco

US
Salary index
100
Cost index
90
Rent pressure
40
Opportunity
94

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