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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Pasadena

Texas
76

San Francisco is 251% more expensive than Pasadena.

$2,419/mo ↑ 101%
Median Rent
$1,201/mo ↓ 50%
$141,446/yr ↑ 120%
Median Income
$64,270/yr ↓ 55%
$1,380,500 ↑ 613%
Home Value
$193,600 ↓ 86%
$2,620/mo ↑ 130%
Owner Costs
$1,141/mo ↓ 56%
836,321
Population
149,345

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
22.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Pasadena, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,218/month cheaper in Pasadena, saving renters about $14,616/year.

Median household income is $77,176/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $193,600 in Pasadena.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Pasadena — common questions

Is San Francisco or Pasadena cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Pasadena is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Pasadena?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Pasadena it's $1,201/month — a difference of $1,218/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Pasadena?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $64,270 in Pasadena. Median household income is $77,176/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 Pasadena?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Pasadena has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,201/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Pasadena details →

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