Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Brooklyn and San Francisco have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New York salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Brooklyn has a housing index of 325 while San Francisco sits at 327 (national average = 100). The median home in Brooklyn costs $780,000 compared to $1,200,000 in San Francisco, a difference of $420,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $2,900 in Brooklyn versus $3,400 in San Francisco.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Brooklyn scores 108 while San Francisco scores 112.
Healthcare costs in Brooklyn (108) are lower than San Francisco (113).
Median household income in Brooklyn is $65,294 compared to $119,136 in San Francisco. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Amazon affiliate links