CostIndexUSA

Reno, NV vs San Francisco, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNV
Reno
101
overall index
$1,900/mo rent
CA
San Francisco
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent

Reno is moderately cheaper than San Francisco — 14.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Reno, you would need $91,600 in San Francisco. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+57.7%
Reno
123.5
San Francisco
194.7
🛒 Groceries+12.7%
Reno
96.3
San Francisco
108.5
🚗 Transportation+7.5%
Reno
103.7
San Francisco
111.5
🏥 Healthcare+7.6%
Reno
93.8
San Francisco
100.9
Utilities+93.3%
Reno
89.3
San Francisco
172.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Reno to see what you'd need to earn in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$91,600
$11,600 more needed in San Francisco

Formula: salary × (115.6 ÷ 101) = salary × 1.1446. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Reno, NV

Median Home Price
$551,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,900
Housing Index
123.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
24.2×

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

San Francisco has 57.7% higher housing costs compared to Reno.

Income & Job Market

Reno, NV

Median Household Income
$83,800
Per Capita Income
$47,800
Unemployment Rate
3.8%
Population
264,165
Top Industries
GamingHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyLogistics

San Francisco, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
873,965
Top Industries
TechnologyFinanceTourismHealthcareMedia

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Reno, NV
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

San Francisco, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.