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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Amarillo

Texas
69

San Francisco is 287% more expensive than Amarillo.

$2,419/mo ↑ 131%
Median Rent
$1,049/mo ↓ 57%
$141,446/yr ↑ 126%
Median Income
$62,469/yr ↓ 56%
$1,380,500 ↑ 639%
Home Value
$186,800 ↓ 86%
$2,620/mo ↑ 144%
Owner Costs
$1,074/mo ↓ 59%
836,321
Population
200,945

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.5%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Amarillo, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,370/month cheaper in Amarillo, saving renters about $16,440/year.

Median household income is $78,977/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $186,800 in Amarillo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Amarillo — common questions

Is San Francisco or Amarillo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Amarillo is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Amarillo?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Amarillo it's $1,049/month — a difference of $1,370/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Amarillo?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $62,469 in Amarillo. Median household income is $78,977/year higher in San Francisco.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Francisco or Amarillo?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Amarillo has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,049/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Amarillo details →

More Comparisons

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