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

Houston

Texas
88
VS

San Francisco

California
267

Houston is 67% cheaper than San Francisco.

$1,313/mo ↓ 46%
Median Rent
$2,419/mo ↑ 84%
$62,894/yr ↓ 56%
Median Income
$141,446/yr ↑ 125%
$253,400 ↓ 82%
Home Value
$1,380,500 ↑ 445%
$1,316/mo ↓ 50%
Owner Costs
$2,620/mo ↑ 99%
2,300,419
Population
836,321

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

25.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 88 and 267 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,106/month cheaper in Houston, saving renters about $13,272/year.

Median household income is $78,552/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Houston is $253,400 compared to $1,380,500 in San Francisco.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Houston vs San Francisco — common questions

Is Houston or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Houston is cheaper to live in with an index of 88 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Houston and San Francisco?
Median rent in Houston is $1,313/month and in San Francisco it's $2,419/month — a difference of $1,106/month.
Which city has higher income, Houston or San Francisco?
Median household income is $62,894 in Houston and $141,446 in San Francisco. Median household income is $78,552/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 Houston or San Francisco?
It depends on your priorities. Houston has a cost index of 88 with median rent of $1,313/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 Houston details → View San Francisco details →

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