Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Dallas, TX?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 95.0% more expensive than Dallas, TX. This translates to spending an extra $7129 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Dallas, TX, you'd need approximately $235,544.554 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 308.7% more expensive than in Dallas, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $1,765/month in Dallas, TX.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $7129 more per month than Dallas, TX, or $85545 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Dallas, TX

Tap to swap

San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Dallas, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $7.1K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $235.5K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 95.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$7,129

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$85.5K

Per year

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

Dallas, TX

Population:1304K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$292K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:195

Median Home:$1.25M

Dallas, TX

The Lone Star State

1.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major business center
•No state income tax
•Big Tex home

Major Industries

TechnologyFinanceEnergyTransportation

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: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Dallas, TX	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,391/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $7,380more	308.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,298/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $861more	66.3%
🛒Groceries	$979/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $180more	18.4%
⚡All Utilities	$563/mo	$448/mo	↓ $115less	20.4%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $100more	5.7%
🏥Healthcare	$632/mo	$706/mo	↑ $74.35more	11.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 308.7%

Dallas, TX

$2,391

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$7,380

🚗Transportation

↑ 66.3%

Dallas, TX

$1,298

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$861

🛒Groceries

↑ 18.4%

Dallas, TX

$979

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$180

⚡All Utilities

↓ 20.4%

Dallas, TX

$563

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$115

less

📦Other

↑ 5.7%

Dallas, TX

$1,774

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$100

🏥Healthcare

↑ 11.8%

Dallas, TX

$632

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$74.35

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,450

To$2,460

↑ $1,010

1 Bed

From$1,505

To$2,950

↑ $1,445

2 Bed

From$1,765

To$3,570

↑ $1,805

3 Bed

From$2,220

To$4,560

↑ $2,340

Dallas, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,040–$2,470/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.

$7,637

Monthly in Dallas, TX

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$8,481

Difference

Home Values

Dallas

San Francisco

$292K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +27.1%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$138K - $2.01M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 326% more expensive than Dallas

Calculate payment - Dallas 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

Dallas, 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

Dallas, 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.