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

Dallas

Texas
97
VS

San Francisco

California
267

Dallas is 64% cheaper than San Francisco.

$1,403/mo ↓ 42%
Median Rent
$2,419/mo ↑ 72%
$67,760/yr ↓ 52%
Median Income
$141,446/yr ↑ 109%
$295,300 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$1,380,500 ↑ 367%
$1,409/mo ↓ 46%
Owner Costs
$2,620/mo ↑ 86%
1,299,553
Population
836,321

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 97 and 267 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,016/month cheaper in Dallas, saving renters about $12,192/year.

Median household income is $73,686/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Dallas is $295,300 compared to $1,380,500 in San Francisco.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Dallas vs San Francisco — common questions

Is Dallas or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Dallas is cheaper to live in with an index of 97 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Dallas and San Francisco?
Median rent in Dallas is $1,403/month and in San Francisco it's $2,419/month — a difference of $1,016/month.
Which city has higher income, Dallas or San Francisco?
Median household income is $67,760 in Dallas and $141,446 in San Francisco. Median household income is $73,686/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 Dallas or San Francisco?
It depends on your priorities. Dallas has a cost index of 97 with median rent of $1,403/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.
View Dallas details → View San Francisco details →

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