Living Cost Compare
Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

vs
San Francisco

California

$2,750/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $2,750 in San Francisco, CA. Overall, Annapolis, MD is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than San Francisco, CA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $141,446 in San Francisco, CA — about 26% higher in San Francisco, CA. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; California has a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD
San Francisco, CA

Rent

Studio
$1,239
$1,560
+26% in San Francisco, CA
1 Bedroom
$1,598
$2,425
+52% in San Francisco, CA
2 Bedroom
$1,864
$2,982
+60% in San Francisco, CA
3 Bedroom
$2,232
$3,269
+46% in San Francisco, CA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$510,200
$1,380,500
+171% in San Francisco, CA

Income

Median Household Income
$104,257
$141,446
+36% in San Francisco, CA
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$59,070
$74,260
+26% in San Francisco, CA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
40.9 yr
39.7 yr
+1.2 yr in Annapolis, MD
Homeownership
59.8%
38.5%
+21.3 pp in Annapolis, MD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
53.7%
60.1%
+6.4 pp in San Francisco, CA
Avg Commute
28.7 min
31.2 min
+2.5 min in San Francisco, CA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
806
596.5
+26% in Annapolis, MD
Property Crime
2,111.5
3,962.2
+88% in San Francisco, CA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
57.1°F
57.3°F
+0.2°F in San Francisco, CA
Annual Precipitation
—
23.6 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$5.43/gal
+41% in San Francisco, CA

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs San Francisco.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs SF Muni (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.8
33.3
+53% in San Francisco, CA
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$18.94
$20.72
+9% in San Francisco, CA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.82
+20% in San Francisco, CA
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$2.04
+17% in San Francisco, CA
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$2.19
+1% in Annapolis, MD
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$7.36
+14% in San Francisco, CA
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.01
+6% in San Francisco, CA
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.70
+14% in San Francisco, CA

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / CA)
6%
7.25%
+1.3 pp in CA
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
13.30%
+6.8 pp in CA

Annapolis vs San Francisco — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or San Francisco?
Annapolis, MD is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,820 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below San Francisco, CA's $2,750, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in San Francisco?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $97,000 in San Francisco.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or San Francisco?
Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); San Francisco under California's (a top state income tax rate of 13.30% and a 7.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).