City cost comparison
San Francisco vs Los Angeles
Housing, childcare, healthcare, food, and education — side by side for families weighing San Francisco, CA against Los Angeles, CA.
Comparison matrix
Emerald badges flag the cheaper city for each line item; rose marks when the other city wins on cost.
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| HousingFamily housing premium / month | $2,200 | $1,400 | +57% cheaper in Los Angeles |
| ChildcareAvg monthly (infant → school-age) | $2,460 | $1,670 | +47% cheaper in Los Angeles |
| HealthcareFamily premium share + child OOP / month | $880 | $755 | +17% cheaper in Los Angeles |
| FoodPer child / month | $510 | $420 | +21% cheaper in Los Angeles |
| EducationAnnual baseline ÷ 12 | $124 | $100 | +24% cheaper in Los Angeles |
Illustrative planning baselines (updated 2026-01-15 / 2026-01-15). Verify local rates before major decisions.