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

San Francisco

California
267
VS

The Woodlands

Texas
139

San Francisco is 92% more expensive than The Woodlands.

$2,419/mo ↑ 35%
Median Rent
$1,792/mo ↓ 26%
$141,446/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$141,353/yr ≈ Same
$1,380,500 ↑ 188%
Home Value
$479,400 ↓ 65%
$2,620/mo ↑ 31%
Owner Costs
$2,005/mo ↓ 23%
836,321
Population
116,916

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
15.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Francisco, CA and The Woodlands, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 267 and 139 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $627/month cheaper in The Woodlands, saving renters about $7,524/year.

Median household income is $93/year higher in San Francisco. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Francisco is $1,380,500 compared to $479,400 in The Woodlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco vs The Woodlands — common questions

Is San Francisco or The Woodlands cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, The Woodlands is cheaper to live in with an index of 139 compared to 267 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and The Woodlands?
Median rent in San Francisco is $2,419/month and in The Woodlands it's $1,792/month — a difference of $627/month.
Which city has higher income, San Francisco or The Woodlands?
Median household income is $141,446 in San Francisco and $141,353 in The Woodlands. Median household income is $93/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 The Woodlands?
It depends on your priorities. San Francisco has a cost index of 267 with median rent of $2,419/mo, while The Woodlands has a cost index of 139 with rent of $1,792/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View San Francisco details → View The Woodlands details →

More Comparisons

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