Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

San Francisco

California
267

Austin is 133% cheaper than San Francisco.

$1,655/mo ↓ 32%
Median Rent
$2,419/mo ↑ 46%
$91,461/yr ↓ 35%
Median Income
$141,446/yr ↑ 55%
$512,700 ↓ 63%
Home Value
$1,380,500 ↑ 169%
$1,747/mo ↓ 33%
Owner Costs
$2,620/mo ↑ 50%
967,862
Population
836,321

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 267 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $764/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $9,168/year.

Median household income is $49,985/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $1,380,500 in San Francisco.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs San Francisco — common questions

Is Austin or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and San Francisco?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in San Francisco it's $2,419/month — a difference of $764/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or San Francisco?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $141,446 in San Francisco. Median household income is $49,985/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or San Francisco?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with rent of $2,419/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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