Austin vs San Francisco: cost of living compared
San Francisco is 82% more expensive than Austin overall. Austin (TX) has no state income tax; CA tops out around 9.3%.
Indexes use a US average of 100: below 100 is cheaper than the national average. Housing and transportation are derived from median home prices, rents and commute times; figures come from BLS, Census ACS, Numbeo and the MIT Living Wage Calculator.
The big picture
San Francisco presents a substantially higher overall cost of living compared to Austin. The most significant factor driving this difference is housing, which is dramatically more expensive in the Bay Area. While other categories like food, transportation, and utilities also show San Francisco to be pricier, the housing market creates a much wider gap in overall expenses between the two metros.
Housing
Housing costs in San Francisco, whether buying a home or renting an apartment, are considerably higher than in Austin. San Francisco's median home prices are vastly greater, and typical rents for a one-bedroom are roughly double. Austin tends to offer more traditional single-family homes, while San Francisco often features denser, multi-unit housing. The cost of homeownership beyond the mortgage, including property taxes and insurance, will also reflect this disparity.
Taxes and everyday costs
Daily expenses for transportation, groceries, healthcare, and utilities are all noticeably higher in San Francisco. Additionally, California has a state income tax, which is a significant factor absent in Texas. This means that after-tax income will be lower in San Francisco for comparable salaries, further impacting disposable income. For most everyday spending categories, Austin offers a more budget-friendly environment.
Lifestyle trade-offs
Austin enjoys a warm climate with hot summers, while San Francisco has a famously mild, often foggy, climate year-round. Austin is generally more car-dependent, though it has some public transit options, and its pace feels a bit more spread out. San Francisco is known for its dense urban environment and extensive public transportation network, making it easier to navigate without a personal vehicle. Both metros offer vibrant cultural scenes and outdoor activities.
Bottom line
Moving from Austin to San Francisco would involve a substantial increase in nearly all living expenses, with housing being the most impactful. Conversely, a move from San Francisco to Austin would likely free up a significant portion of a household's budget. The absence of a state income tax in Texas further enhances Austin's affordability. The choice hinges on whether the lifestyle and opportunities in San Francisco outweigh the considerably higher financial commitment.
| Measure | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost of living (US avg = 100) | 118 | 215 |
| Housing index | 132 | 309 |
| Transportation index | 109 | 135 |
| Food index | 102 | 125 |
| Healthcare index | 102 | 122 |
| Utilities index | 112 | 148 |
| Misc index | 102 | 138 |
| Median home price | $498,000 | $1,250,000 |
| Median 1-bedroom rent | $1,750/mo | $3,450/mo |
| Average commute | 30 min | 34 min |
Compare any two metros with the free cost of living tool, or see the true monthly cost of a specific San Francisco home with the True Cost Calculator.