Cost of living in San Francisco, California (United States) is 99% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,922 prices entered by 236 different people.
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| Food | + 94% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in San Francisco, California (United States) is 94% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $26 (€25) | €17 | + 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $14 (€13) | €10 | + 32% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $8 (€7) | €3.90 | + 92% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $2.09 (€1.99) | €1.06 | + 87% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $7 (€7) | €3.05 | + 126% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $8 (€7) | €2.27 | + 215% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $13 (€13) | €7 | + 76% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.55 (€4.33) | €2.23 | + 94% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.67 (€2.54) | €1.60 | + 59% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.93 (€4.69) | €1.14 | + 311% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (€17) | €7 | + 154% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.68 (€3.49) | €2.01 | + 73% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.27 (€3.10) | €1.15 | + 170% | |
| Housing | + 127% | |||
| Housing in San Francisco, California (United States) is 127% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,875 (€3,681) | €1,886 | + 95% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,846 (€3,653) | €1,263 | + 189% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $146 (€139) | €121 | + 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,202 (€3,041) | €1,235 | + 146% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,856 (€2,712) | €852 | + 218% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $177 (€168) | €72 | + 132% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $47 (€45) | €27 | + 67% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 (€257) | €287 | - 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $145 (€138) | €95 | + 46% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 (€12) | €10 | + 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $38 (€36) | €12 | + 205% | |
| Clothes | + 43% | |||
| Clothes in San Francisco, California (United States) is 43% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Madrid | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $70 (€66) | €73 | - 10% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (€48) | €30 | + 61% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $120 (€114) | €81 | + 42% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $223 (€211) | €86 | + 145% | |
| Transportation | + 85% | |||
| Transportation in San Francisco, California (United States) is 85% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $32,526 (€30,894) | €28,498 | + 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.26 (€1.20) | €1.62 | - 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $96 (€91) | €32 | + 188% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $21 (€20) | €13 | + 58% | |
| Personal Care | + 118% | |||
| Personal Care in San Francisco, California (United States) is 118% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (€8) | €8 | + 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $14 (€13) | €7 | + 84% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $232 (€220) | €56 | + 295% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $13 (€13) | €3.86 | + 225% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.92 (€4.67) | €3.31 | + 41% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (€8) | €3.21 | + 148% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.91 (€5.62) | €2.17 | + 159% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.92 (€2.78) | €2.81 | - 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (€29) | €25 | + 20% | |
| Entertainment | + 73% | |||
| Entertainment in San Francisco, California (United States) is 73% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| San Francisco, California | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $66 (€63) | €41 | + 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $36 (€34) | €19 | + 80% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $383 (€364) | €49 | + 639% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $150 (€143) | €54 | + 164% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $17 (€17) | €14 | + 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (€6) | €3.13 | + 93% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $10 (€9) | €4.46 | + 103% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $376 (€357) | €553 | - 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.25 (€0.23) | €0.19 | + 26% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $96 (€91) | €52 | + 75% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 (€12) | €5.48 | + 124% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 99% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,922 prices entered by 236 different people.
These prices were last updated on November 22, 2024.
Exchange rate:
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For example, you would need at least €11,129 ($11,717) in San Francisco, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with €5,600 in Madrid.
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