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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Midland

Texas
99

San Francisco is 170% more expensive than Midland.

$2,419/mo ↑ 72%
Median Rent
$1,407/mo ↓ 42%
$141,446/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$91,169/yr ↓ 36%
$1,380,500 ↑ 362%
Home Value
$298,600 ↓ 78%
$2,620/mo ↑ 78%
Owner Costs
$1,468/mo ↓ 44%
836,321
Population
133,998

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
18.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Midland, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 99 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,012/month cheaper in Midland, saving renters about $12,144/year.

Median household income is $50,277/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $298,600 in Midland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Midland — common questions

Is San Francisco or Midland cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Midland is cheaper to live in with an index of 99 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Midland?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Midland it's $1,407/month — a difference of $1,012/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Midland?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $91,169 in Midland. Median household income is $50,277/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 Midland?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Midland has a cost index of 99 with rent of $1,407/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Midland details →

More Comparisons

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