Can I Afford to Live in San Francisco vs Seattle on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

San Francisco, CA
$6,225/mo take-home
Rent: $3,600/mo (58% of take-home)
Difficult
Seattle, WA
$7,155/mo take-home
Rent: $2,400/mo (34% of take-home)
Manageable
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Monthly budget breakdown

San Francisco
CA
Seattle
WA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,225
$7,155Best ✓
1BR rent
$3,600
$2,400Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$448
$410Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$100Best ✓
$100
Utilities
$160
$120Best ✓
Internet
$70
$65Best ✓
Left after essentials
$1,847/month
$4,060/month
Seattle (Washington) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs San Francisco (CA rate: 9.3%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in San Francisco?

At $120K/year in San Francisco, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,225. With 1BR rent around $3,600/month, rent takes up 58% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $120K a good salary in Seattle?

At $120K/year in Seattle, your estimated monthly take-home is $7,155. With 1BR rent around $2,400/month, rent takes up 34% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

Seattle leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,060/month vs $1,847/month in San Francisco.

Can I afford to live alone in San Francisco on $120K?

It's tight. Rent in San Francisco would take 58% of your $120K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — San Francisco vs Seattle

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only