Quick answer
Austin is 208% cheaper than San Francisco overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $308,000 in San Francisco.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin vs San Francisco Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Austin is 208% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+70% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$308,000
Austin vs San Francisco: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$2,800/mo
+70%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$3,800/mo
+81%
Median home price
$548K
$1,100K
+101%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$460
+21%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$125
-29%
State income tax
None
Up to 13.3%
Austin saves
Walk score
41/100
88/100
San Francisco better
Transit score
34/100
80/100
San Francisco better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$185,000
$19,000
$80,000
$246,000
$26,000
$100,000
$308,000
$32,000
$120,000
$369,000
$39,000
$150,000
$462,000
$49,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Austin vs San Francisco
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
San Francisco is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech professionals
- ✓high earners
- ✓urban walkability seekers
FAQs
Is Austin or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Austin is 208% cheaper than San Francisco overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs San Francisco ($2,800/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs San Francisco $1,100K.
How much salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100K in Austin?
$308,000 in San Francisco is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+70% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs San Francisco: Up to 13.3%).
What is the rent difference between Austin and San Francisco?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs San Francisco $2,800/mo (+70%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs San Francisco $3,800/mo (+81%).
Does Austin or San Francisco have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. San Francisco (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.