San Francisco County, CA vs Sedgwick County, KS: Cost of Living Difference

Sedgwick County, KS is cheaper than San Francisco County, CA for modeled annual cost of living. This comparison shows the yearly cost gap, salary needed to keep similar purchasing power, and the categories driving the difference.

Is it cheaper?

Sedgwick County, KS is cheaper than San Francisco County, CA.

Cheaper cost of living

Cheaper place

Sedgwick County, KSSave about $31,850 per year.

Cost gap

Moving to Sedgwick County, KS is estimated to save $31,850 per year.

AnnualSave about $31,850 per year.

MonthlySave about $2,654 per month.

Salary needed

$50,000 in San Francisco County, CA is about $28,545 in Sedgwick County, KS.

Biggest drivers

Transport increases by $3,636 per year. Housing saves $17,093 per year.

San Francisco County, CASedgwick County, KS
Equivalent salary in Sedgwick County, KS
$28,545
-42.91% lower
Current salary: $50,000
Household: 1 adult · 0 children
Median Income in San Francisco County, CA: $165,603
Median Income in Sedgwick County, KS: $86,412
annual living index in San Francisco County, CA 44.82%
annual living index in Sedgwick County, KS 49.04%

This estimate matches your purchasing power (equivalent salary) when moving from San Francisco County, CA to Sedgwick County, KS.

* Living index is estimated as (estimated annual total cost / area median annual income) * 100. A living index above 100% means modeled costs exceed median income.

Cost of Living Breakdown by Category

Category-by-category comparison

Annual costs are shown for the selected household. The difference column shows how much more or less the category costs in Sedgwick County, KS compared with San Francisco County, CA.

CategorySan Francisco County, CASedgwick County, KSAnnual differenceMonthly impactDirection
Housing$25,403$8,310-$17,093(-67.29%)-$1,424Lower in Sedgwick County, KS
Taxes$17,491$8,016-$9,475(-54.17%)-$790Lower in Sedgwick County, KS
Other Costs$9,667$3,863-$5,804(-60.04%)-$484Lower in Sedgwick County, KS
Transport$8,695$12,331+$3,636(41.82%)+$303Higher in Sedgwick County, KS
Food$5,735$4,131-$1,604(-27.97%)-$134Lower in Sedgwick County, KS
Healthcare$7,238$5,729-$1,509(-20.85%)-$126Lower in Sedgwick County, KS
Childcare$0$0$0(0%)$0About even

Why this comparison matters

These notes use the actual annual cost differences between San Francisco County, CA and Sedgwick County, KS, so the page highlights the budget tradeoffs behind the total.

Affordability vs median income

Modeled annual costs equal about 44.8% of median family income in San Francisco County, CA and 49.0% in Sedgwick County, KS. This matters because a cheaper county can still feel tight if typical local incomes are also lower.

Housing

Housing is $17,093 per year lower in Sedgwick County, KS than in San Francisco County, CA. Housing usually behaves like a fixed monthly commitment, so this matters most for renters or buyers checking whether Sedgwick County, KS changes their baseline budget.

Food

Food is $1,604 per year lower in Sedgwick County, KS than in San Francisco County, CA. Food costs affect weekly cash flow, so even a smaller modeled gap in Sedgwick County, KS can show up quickly for households that cook most meals at home.

Transportation

Transportation is $3,636 per year higher in Sedgwick County, KS than in San Francisco County, CA. Transportation matters for commuters because driving distance, vehicle costs, and transit access can change how much of a salary is left after getting around Sedgwick County, KS.

Healthcare

Healthcare is $1,509 per year lower in Sedgwick County, KS than in San Francisco County, CA. Healthcare differences are useful for planning premiums and out-of-pocket exposure, especially if Sedgwick County, KS changes provider networks or plan options.

Other necessities

Other necessities is $5,804 per year lower in Sedgwick County, KS than in San Francisco County, CA. Other necessities cover everyday basics, so changes in Sedgwick County, KS help explain the non-housing costs that can quietly add up month after month.

Childcare

Childcare is about the same in San Francisco County, CA and Sedgwick County, KS, so this category is not a major driver of the modeled gap. Childcare is most important for households with children; in Sedgwick County, KS, this line can swing the result even when housing or taxes look manageable.

Taxes

Taxes is $9,475 per year lower in Sedgwick County, KS than in San Francisco County, CA. Taxes affect take-home pay, so the gap in Sedgwick County, KS matters even if the headline salary looks similar before deductions.

Methodology and data vintage

WatchPennies uses county-level 2026 cost estimates from a 2025-2026 cost-data snapshot. The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.

Read the full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, San Francisco County, CA or Sedgwick County, KS?

Sedgwick County, KS is cheaper than San Francisco County, CA by about $31,850 per year.

How much salary is needed in Sedgwick County, KS?

A $50,000 salary in San Francisco County, CA is modeled as roughly equivalent to $28,545 in Sedgwick County, KS for the selected household profile.

What costs are included in this San Francisco County, CA vs Sedgwick County, KS comparison?

The comparison includes housing, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare, other necessities, taxes, total cost, and median family income context when available.

Is this comparison personalized financial advice?

No. WatchPennies comparisons are directional planning estimates based on county-level public datasets, not personalized financial, tax, housing, or relocation advice.

Use our map to visually compare multiple counties at once.

View county cost breakdowns

See county rankings

City housing context

Compare nearby counties

Nearby cheaper alternatives

Cost of living methodology and data sources