Is San Francisco, CA cheaper than Houston, TX?

Based on cost of living data, San Francisco, CA is 104.1% more expensive than Houston, TX. This translates to spending an extra $7811 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Houston, TX, you'd need approximately $243,730.57 in San Francisco, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in San Francisco, CA is 346.0% more expensive than in Houston, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,570/month in San Francisco, CA compared to $1,500/month in Houston, TX.

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

Living in San Francisco, CA costs approximately $7811 more per month than Houston, TX, or $93731 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Houston, TX

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San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Houston, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $7.8K/month more in San Francisco, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $243.7K in San Francisco, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 104.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$7,811

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$93.7K

Per year

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

Houston, TX

Population:2305K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$245K

San Francisco, CA

Population:874K

Cost Index:204

Median Home:$1.25M

Houston, TX

The Lone Star State

2.3M

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Energy capital of the world
•NASA Mission Control
•Diverse port city

Major Industries

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareInternational Trade

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: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA

Category	Houston, TX	San Francisco, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,191/mo	$9,771/mo	↑ $7,580more	346.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,449/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $709more	48.9%
🛒Groceries	$911/mo	$1,159/mo	↑ $248more	27.2%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$706/mo	↑ $144more	25.7%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,875/mo	↑ $107more	6.1%
⚡All Utilities	$552/mo	$448/mo	↓ $104less	18.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 346.0%

Houston, TX

$2,191

San Francisco, CA

$9,771

Difference

$7,580

🚗Transportation

↑ 48.9%

Houston, TX

$1,449

San Francisco, CA

$2,158

Difference

$709

🛒Groceries

↑ 27.2%

Houston, TX

$911

San Francisco, CA

$1,159

Difference

$248

🏥Healthcare

↑ 25.7%

Houston, TX

$562

San Francisco, CA

$706

Difference

$144

📦Other

↑ 6.1%

Houston, TX

$1,768

San Francisco, CA

$1,875

Difference

$107

⚡All Utilities

↓ 18.9%

Houston, TX

$552

San Francisco, CA

$448

Difference

$104

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,220

To$2,460

↑ $1,240

1 Bed

From$1,260

To$2,950

↑ $1,690

2 Bed

From$1,500

To$3,570

↑ $2,070

3 Bed

From$2,020

To$4,560

↑ $2,540

Houston, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,980/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.

$7,434

Monthly in Houston, TX

$16,118

Monthly in San Francisco, CA

$8,684

Difference

Home Values

Houston

San Francisco

$245K

Median Value

$1.25M

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↑ +3.7%

↑ +23.4%

5-Year Change

↓ -7.5%

$138K - $1.64M

Price Range

$693K - $2.12M

Homes in San Francisco are 407% more expensive than Houston

Calculate payment - Houston 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

Houston, 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

Houston, 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.