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Baltimore vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Baltimore, MD | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 104.5 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $76,370 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $59,070 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $73,090 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $59,140 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $405,877 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $97,300 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 4.2 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 2,839,409 | 4,653,593 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Baltimore to San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Baltimore to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.106.
| Salary in Baltimore | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Baltimore | $55,324 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Baltimore | $82,986 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Baltimore | $110,648 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Baltimore | $165,972 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Baltimore | $221,296 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Baltimore and San Francisco
| Job | Baltimore | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,960 | $38,810 | $37,287 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $153,910 | $193,430 | $147,301 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,820 | $44,620 | $32,368 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $134,760 | $177,240 | $128,973 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $99,100 | $176,900 | $94,844 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $37,320 | $47,290 | $35,717 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $34,670 | $43,260 | $33,181 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,130 | $56,950 | $46,063 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,010 | $51,280 | $41,163 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $72,470 | $110,360 | $69,358 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $38,830 | $48,720 | $37,163 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,030 | $46,460 | $41,182 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $42,620 | $50,270 | $40,790 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,710 | $47,210 | $38,962 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $94,880 | $120,780 | $90,806 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Baltimore vs San Francisco: questions
Is Baltimore more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 104.5 in Baltimore, MD and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Baltimore?
About $110,648, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Baltimore or San Francisco?
San Francisco, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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