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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Garland

Texas
96

San Francisco is 178% more expensive than Garland.

$2,419/mo ↑ 59%
Median Rent
$1,525/mo ↓ 37%
$141,446/yr ↑ 89%
Median Income
$74,717/yr ↓ 47%
$1,380,500 ↑ 455%
Home Value
$248,900 ↓ 82%
$2,620/mo ↑ 81%
Owner Costs
$1,445/mo ↓ 45%
836,321
Population
245,298

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Garland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 96 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $894/month cheaper in Garland, saving renters about $10,728/year.

Median household income is $66,729/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $248,900 in Garland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Garland — common questions

Is San Francisco or Garland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Garland is cheaper to live in with an index of 96 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Garland?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Garland it's $1,525/month — a difference of $894/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Garland?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $74,717 in Garland. Median household income is $66,729/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 Garland?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Garland has a cost index of 96 with rent of $1,525/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Garland details →

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