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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Arlington

Texas
95

San Francisco is 181% more expensive than Arlington.

$2,419/mo ↑ 74%
Median Rent
$1,389/mo ↓ 43%
$141,446/yr ↑ 92%
Median Income
$73,519/yr ↓ 48%
$1,380,500 ↑ 399%
Home Value
$276,400 ↓ 80%
$2,620/mo ↑ 85%
Owner Costs
$1,420/mo ↓ 46%
836,321
Population
394,769

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
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Arlington, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 95 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,030/month cheaper in Arlington, saving renters about $12,360/year.

Median household income is $67,927/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $276,400 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Arlington — common questions

Is San Francisco or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Arlington is cheaper to live in with an index of 95 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Arlington?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Arlington it's $1,389/month — a difference of $1,030/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Arlington?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $73,519 in Arlington. Median household income is $67,927/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 Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 95 with rent of $1,389/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Arlington details →

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