Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 60% more expensive than in Ithaca, New York (United States)
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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 297 prices entered by 36 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is 55% more expensive than in Ithaca, New York (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Ithaca, New York | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $25 | $19 | + 27% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 | $8 | + 61% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 | $4.46 | + 77% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.09 | $0.88 | + 137% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $8 | $2.89 | + 165% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $7 | $5.44 | + 33% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $13 | $8 | + 60% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.55 | $3.56 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.67 | $1.84 | + 45% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.93 | $2.35 | + 110% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $19 | $15 | + 26% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.68 | $2.18 | + 69% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.27 | $2.26 | + 45% | |
| Housing | + 74% | |||
| Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 74% more expensive than in Ithaca, New York (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Ithaca, New York | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,992 | $2,181 | + 83% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,732 | $1,440 | + 159% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $146 | $170 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,202 | $1,684 | + 90% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,856 | $1,100 | + 160% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $177 | $87 | + 104% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $47 | $61 | - 23% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 | $319 | - 15% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $145 | $153 | - 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $13 | - 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $38 | $23 | + 66% | |
| Clothes | + 7% | |||
| Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 7% more expensive than in Ithaca, New York (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Ithaca, New York | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $68 | $56 | + 21% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 | $61 | - 18% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $120 | $107 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $223 | $120 | + 86% | |
| Transportation | + 75% | |||
| Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is 75% more expensive than in Ithaca, New York (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Ithaca, New York | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $32,526 | $25,000 | + 30% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.22 | $0.77 | + 58% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $96 | $46 | + 109% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $21 | $23 | - 6% | |
| Personal Care | + 41% | |||
| Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is 41% more expensive than in Ithaca, New York (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Ithaca, New York | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 | $8 | + 6% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 | $26 | - 47% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $232 | $113 | + 105% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $13 | $7 | + 79% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.92 | $4.11 | + 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 | $4.90 | + 71% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.91 | $3.12 | + 90% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.92 | $2.16 | + 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 | $21 | + 50% | |
| Entertainment | + 40% | |||
| Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 40% more expensive than in Ithaca, New York (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Ithaca, New York | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $66 | $52 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $36 | $26 | + 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $383 | $106 | + 262% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $150 | $93 | + 63% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $17 | $11 | + 58% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 | $4.99 | + 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $10 | $6 | + 54% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $376 | $523 | - 28% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.28 | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $96 | $54 | + 77% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 | $12 | + 7% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 60% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 297 prices entered by 36 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 18, 2025.
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For example, you would need at least $11,053 in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $6,900 in Ithaca, New York.
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