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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

Plano

Texas
132

San Francisco is 102% more expensive than Plano.

$2,419/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 26%
$141,446/yr ↑ 30%
Median Income
$108,649/yr ↓ 23%
$1,380,500 ↑ 213%
Home Value
$440,600 ↓ 68%
$2,620/mo ↑ 43%
Owner Costs
$1,829/mo ↓ 30%
836,321
Population
287,339

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
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and Plano, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $627/month cheaper in Plano, saving renters about $7,524/year.

Median household income is $32,797/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $440,600 in Plano.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs Plano — common questions

Is San Francisco or Plano cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Plano is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Plano?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in Plano it's $1,792/month — a difference of $627/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or Plano?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $108,649 in Plano. Median household income is $32,797/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 Plano?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while Plano has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View Plano details →

More Comparisons

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