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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Premium market, smart picks: while the market trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. San Francisco at index 224 is the standout — offering meaningful savings without leaving a desirable market (a figure that keeps climbi…
Premium market, smart picks: while the market trends above the national average, the gap between the most and least expensive cities here is wider than you'd think. San Francisco at index 224 is the standout — offering meaningful savings without leaving a desirable market (a figure that keeps climbing, by the way).
San Francisco rent up 13% over the past year. Rent in #1-ranked San Francisco has increased from $3,395 to $3,830/mo over the past 12 months — a 13% increase. Rising costs may erode its top ranking over time.
The way we see it, a closer look at San Francisco: the cost index of 224 breaks down to a Healthcare index of 125 (strongest category) and a Housing index of 224 (weakest). Median rent is $3,830/month — 102% above the national median — while household income sits at $141,446, meaning locals spend about 32% of income on rent. That exceeds the recommended 30% threshold — affordability here depends on earning above the median.
The ranking uses a composite of 2026 data from Census Bureau population/income surveys, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary benchmarks, and Tax Foundation tax rates. San Francisco (index 224, rent $3,830); Milwaukee (index 82, rent $1,398). Each city profile below links to the full detail page with 12-month trends, salary breakdowns, and cost category comparisons.
What you won't find on most comparison sites: Nationally, the 288 cities in our database average a cost index of 111, rent of $1,895/month, and household income of $80,367. The cities in this ranking challenge those benchmarks. If you're debt-free, those savings go straight to building wealth.
Bottom line: San Francisco, CA leads this ranking for clear, data-backed reasons — but the "best" city depends on your priorities. Click into any city below to see the full detail page with 12-month trend charts, profession-specific salary data, and a breakdown of all five cost categories. If you're seriously considering a move, use our salary calculator to model your specific income against these numbers. A real contender.
#1 Ranked: San Francisco, CA — cost index 224, rent $3,830/mo, income $141,446
San Francisco rent up 13% over the past year
1 of 2 cities come in below the national cost-of-living average of 111
Data sourced from Census Bureau, Zillow, BLS, and Tax Foundation — current as of 2026
| Rank | City | Cost Index | Median Rent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San FranciscoCA | 224 | $3,830 | Details |
| 2 | MilwaukeeWI | 82 | $1,398 | Details |
808,988 residents · California
Why San Francisco ranks #1: the numbers tell a clear story. And with some exceptions, at 224 on the cost index, residents spend roughly 113% more than the typical American. Rent sits at $3,830/month while the median household pulls in $141,446/year. The Healthcare category is particularly strong at 125, though Housing (224) lags behind. Home prices average $1,299,230 — $831,860 above the national median.
561,385 residents · Wisconsin
Milwaukee earns its position at #2 through a combination that's hard to replicate. The 82 cost index sits 29 points below the national baseline, and the $51,888 median income means purchasing power here is amplified by the low cost base. Homes list at $216,278 — $251,092 below the national median — a genuine ownership opportunity. On the cost side, Housing leads the way at 82, while Healthcare trails at 96 (not adjusted for inflation, but still telling).
Our cost of living index uses real Zillow rent data as the foundation, indexed to 100 (national median). Sub-categories (housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare) are derived from the overall index with regional adjustments. Data is updated monthly.
San Francisco (ranked #1) has a cost index of 224 and rent of $3,830/mo, while Milwaukee (ranked #2) has a cost index of 82 and rent of $1,398/mo — a 142-point difference in cost of living.
City data is refreshed monthly from Census Bureau population estimates, Zillow rent and home price indices, BLS salary data, and Tax Foundation tax rates. Last updated: 2026.
The median 1-bedroom rent in San Francisco is $3,830/month as of 2026, based on Zillow's Observed Rent Index. This is $1,935 above the national median of $1,895/month.
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,299,230, which is 9.2× the local median income. Most median-income households would stretch to buy at this ratio. The national median home price is $467,370.
This ranking was generated using data current as of early 2026. Population and income data comes from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (5-year estimates). Rent and home price data is from Zillow's monthly releases. Tax rates are from the Tax Foundation's 2025 edition. Rankings are refreshed monthly.