Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Austin, TX?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 91.3% more expensive than Austin, TX. This translates to spending an extra $6845 per month.

What salary do I need in San Francisco, CA to live like I do in Austin, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Austin, TX, you'd need approximately $232,135.922 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA?

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 238.7% more expensive than in Austin, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $1,995/month in Austin, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA?

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $6845 more per month than Austin, TX, or $82136 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Austin, TX

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Austin, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $6.8K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $232.1K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 91.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$6,845

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$82.1K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$558K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:191

Median Home:$1.25M

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

San Francisco, CA

The Golden State

874K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Global technology hub
•Historic cable cars
•Major startup ecosystem

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceTourismBiotechnology

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Austin, TX	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,885/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $6,887more	238.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $874more	68.1%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $200more	20.8%
📦Other	$1,741/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $134more	7.7%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$706/mo	↑ $118more	20.0%
⚡All Utilities	$541/mo	$448/mo	↓ $92.89less	17.2%

🏠Housing

↑ 238.7%

Austin, TX

$2,885

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$6,887

🚗Transportation

↑ 68.1%

Austin, TX

$1,284

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$874

🛒Groceries

↑ 20.8%

Austin, TX

$959

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$200

📦Other

↑ 7.7%

Austin, TX

$1,741

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$134

🏥Healthcare

↑ 20.0%

Austin, TX

$589

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$118

⚡All Utilities

↓ 17.2%

Austin, TX

$541

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$92.89

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,585

To$2,460

↑ $875

1 Bed

From$1,685

To$2,950

↑ $1,265

2 Bed

From$1,995

To$3,570

↑ $1,575

3 Bed

From$2,525

To$4,560

↑ $2,035

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

San Francisco, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,510–$3,910/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$8,119

Difference

Home Values

Austin

San Francisco

$558K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -5%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +12.6%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$272K - $1.26M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 123% more expensive than Austin

Calculate payment - Austin Calculate payment - San Francisco

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

San Francisco, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

San Francisco, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.