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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Mesquite

Texas
89

San Francisco is 200% more expensive than Mesquite.

$2,419/mo ↑ 72%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↓ 42%
$141,446/yr ↑ 97%
Median Income
$71,843/yr ↓ 49%
$1,380,500 ↑ 509%
Home Value
$226,500 ↓ 84%
$2,620/mo ↑ 89%
Owner Costs
$1,383/mo ↓ 47%
836,321
Population
148,848

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
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Mesquite, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 89 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,012/month cheaper in Mesquite, saving renters about $12,144/year.

Median household income is $69,603/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $226,500 in Mesquite.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Mesquite — common questions

Is San Francisco or Mesquite cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mesquite is cheaper to live in with an index of 89 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Mesquite?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Mesquite it's $1,407/month — a difference of $1,012/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Mesquite?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $71,843 in Mesquite. Median household income is $69,603/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 Mesquite?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Mesquite has a cost index of 89 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Mesquite details →

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