Home › Compare › San Francisco, CA vs Las Vegas, NV

Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Las Vegas, NV

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

30.4% Las Vegas, NV is cheaper overall
46.7% 46.7% cheaper housing
13.0% 13.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 46.7% cheaper
San Francisco
210
Las Vegas
112
🛒 Groceries 13.0% cheaper
San Francisco
115
Las Vegas
100
🚗 Transportation 18.8% cheaper
San Francisco
128
Las Vegas
104
🏥 Healthcare 16.9% cheaper
San Francisco
118
Las Vegas
98
⚡ Utilities 9.3% cheaper
San Francisco
108
Las Vegas
98

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA Las Vegas, NV Difference
Overall Cost Index14810330.4% less
Housing21011246.7% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$1,35055.0% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$380,00069.6% less
Groceries11510013.0% less
Transportation12810418.8% less
Healthcare1189816.9% less
Utilities108989.3% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, CA Las Vegas, NV
State Income Tax13.30% (top)None (0%)
State Sales Tax7.25%6.85%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%0.48%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Francisco, CA
$130,000
Median household income
Las Vegas, NV
$62,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Las Vegas costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Las Vegas to maintain your San Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs Las Vegas (103). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
Las Vegas5.2%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
Las Vegas3.0%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
Las VegasHospitality, Entertainment, Construction

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
Las Vegas25 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
Las Vegas41
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
Las Vegas52
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
Las Vegas68°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
Las Vegas646,790

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Francisco and Las Vegas → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Las Vegas →

Compare Other Cities

San Francisco vs Austin → San Francisco vs Denver → San Francisco vs Nashville → Las Vegas vs Raleigh → Las Vegas vs Portland → Las Vegas vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco or Las Vegas cheaper to live in?+
Las Vegas is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 46.7%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Las Vegas?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $1,350/month in Las Vegas — a difference of about $1,650 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco or Las Vegas?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Nevada has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.85%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from San Francisco to Las Vegas?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 compared to $62,000 in Las Vegas. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in San Francisco vs Las Vegas?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $380,000 in Las Vegas — a difference of $870,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Nevada averages 0.48%.