Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 81% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany)
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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 377 prices entered by 41 different people.
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| Food | + 69% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is 69% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $25 (€22) | €17 | + 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 (€12) | €9 | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (€7) | €6 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.55 (€1.37) | €1.66 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $8 (€7) | €3.87 | + 91% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $7 (€6) | €2.34 | + 175% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $12 (€11) | €5.55 | + 98% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $7 (€6) | €2.57 | + 144% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.63 (€3.21) | €1.47 | + 118% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.66 (€2.35) | €0.75 | + 213% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $20 (€18) | €10 | + 73% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.37 (€2.97) | €1.80 | + 65% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $4.69 (€4.14) | €1.36 | + 205% | |
| Housing | + 166% | |||
| Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 166% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,869 (€4,298) | €1,635 | + 163% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $4,537 (€4,005) | €1,095 | + 266% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $224 (€198) | €259 | - 24% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,497 (€3,086) | €833 | + 271% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,937 (€2,593) | €656 | + 295% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $192 (€169) | €121 | + 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (€57) | €28 | + 104% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $273 (€241) | €426 | - 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $169 (€149) | €98 | + 52% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (€13) | €7 | + 83% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (€36) | €15 | + 135% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 5% cheaper than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $65 (€58) | €96 | - 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $45 (€40) | €38 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $111 (€98) | €88 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $233 (€205) | €110 | + 87% | |
| Transportation | + 26% | |||
| Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is 26% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $31,095 (€27,446) | €20,272 | + 35% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.34 (€1.19) | €1.78 | - 34% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $92 (€82) | €55 | + 48% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $22 (€19) | €22 | - 11% | |
| Personal Care | + 84% | |||
| Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is 84% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (€8) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (€13) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $247 (€218) | €115 | + 89% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (€8) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.87 (€5.18) | €2.15 | + 141% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (€7) | €3.71 | + 88% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $7 (€5.74) | €1.71 | + 237% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.47 (€2.18) | €2.11 | + 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $42 (€37) | €16 | + 124% | |
| Entertainment | + 81% | |||
| Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 81% more expensive than in Karlsruhe (Germany) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Karlsruhe | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $72 (€64) | €38 | + 68% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $36 (€32) | €21 | + 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $389 (€343) | €84 | + 307% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $131 (€116) | €79 | + 47% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $18 (€16) | €9 | + 67% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (€5.43) | €3.89 | + 39% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (€7) | €3.23 | + 125% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $382 (€337) | €440 | - 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.40 (€0.35) | €0.10 | + 254% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $101 (€89) | €50 | + 77% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $14 (€13) | €7 | + 86% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 81% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 377 prices entered by 41 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.883
EUR
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least €9,588 ($10,863) in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with €5,300 in Karlsruhe.
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