Purchasing Power: London vs 
San Francisco (2026)
See what your salary in London would feel like in San Francisco — and what you'd need to earn to maintain the same lifestyle.
From City
Your Gross Salary in London
To City
A full monthly lifestyle basket costs £3,120 in London vs $4,940 in San Francisco
Monthly Cost of Living: London vs San Francisco
| Category |  London |  San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Rent | £2,200 | $3,800 |
| 🛒 Groceries | £350 | $550 |
| 🍽️ Eating Out | £250 | $320 |
| 🚌 Transport | £170 | $120 |
| ⚡ Utilities | £150 | $150 |
| Total Essentials | £3,120 | $4,940 |
To match your lifestyle in London on £100,000/year, you need approximately $122,475/year gross in San Francisco.
That's $10,206/month gross, or roughly $59/hour.
London
Monthly Net: £5,857
Monthly Expenses: £3,120
Disposable: £2,737
Savings Rate: 46.7%
San Francisco (estimated)
Monthly Expenses: $4,940
To match disposable: $7,677 net/month needed
Equivalent gross: $122,475/year
Compare other city pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
How far does £100,000 go in San Francisco compared to London?
A monthly lifestyle basket costs £3,120 in London versus $4,940 in San Francisco.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match my lifestyle in London?
To maintain the same disposable income and lifestyle as earning £100,000/year in London, you would need to earn approximately $122,475/year gross in San Francisco.
Is San Francisco cheaper than London to live in?
Monthly essential costs are £3,120 in London versus $4,940 in San Francisco. Note that these are in different currencies.