Is SF more expensive to live in that NYC? (San Francisco: lease, schools)

[aek11]

Everyone says that SF is expensive. Everyone also says that NYC is way more expensive. But I looked up this cost of living calculator, and SF was way more expensive than NYC on there. So from people who have personal experience of both places, which is more expensive?

[Jonotastic]

Nope...second most expensive city in the United States, New York is still the first (major city)

[mdwstrnkid]

Manhattan is much more expensive, but if you are referring to other parts of NYC, then I would think that on average, the City of San Francisco might be slightly more expensive. There are really no cheap places to live in SF unless you are in the 'hood.

[Chava61]

There were some years where the index of the cost of living in San Francisco was higher than NYC. But in general both cities are very expensive to live in.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by aek11

Everyone says that SF is expensive. Everyone also says that NYC is way more expensive. But I looked up this cost of living calculator, and SF was way more expensive than NYC on there. So from people who have personal experience of both places, which is more expensive?

As others have said, NYC is higher overall, but it depends on which part. SF may be slightly more expensive than NYC outside Manhattan.

[Jay619]

I think SF.. I mean come on it's California!! It's the most populous state, that's a fact, with tx and ny behind it.. LA And SD r also hella expensive.. Gotta be rich to live in the nice parts.. But I think the ghetto areas are pretty afordable

[sf2nyc]

No, I have lived in SF for 7 years and signed a lease in Manhattan starting in a week. In SF I'm paying $2,000 a month for 800 sf and in NY I'm paying $3,000 a month for 600 sf.

[LASam]

Originally Posted by sf2nyc

No, I have lived in SF for 7 years and signed a lease in Manhattan starting in a week. In SF I'm paying $2,000 a month for 800 sf and in NY I'm paying $3,000 a month for 600 sf.

Yeah, but couldn't you find more affordable rents outside of Manhattan, like in Brooklyn and Queens?

[esmith143]

Originally Posted by LASam

Yeah, but couldn't you find more affordable rents outside of Manhattan, like in Brooklyn and Queens?

You could. Conversely, you could find more affordable rents outside of SF. For example, you could rent in San Rafael/San Anselmo, 15 minutes from Golden Gate and rank 10 schools, for less than 1100/month.

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by sf2nyc

No, I have lived in SF for 7 years and signed a lease in Manhattan starting in a week. In SF I'm paying $2,000 a month for 800 sf and in NY I'm paying $3,000 a month for 600 sf.

Thats insane. Can I ask why you don't just live outside Manhattan?