Quick answer
Houston is 76% cheaper than San Francisco overall. A $100K salary in San Francisco is equivalent to $24,000 in Houston.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
San Francisco vs Houston Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Houston is 76% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-54% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$24,000
San Francisco vs Houston: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,800/mo
$1,280/mo
-54%
2BR median rent
$3,800/mo
$1,620/mo
-57%
Median home price
$1,100K
$305K
-72%
Avg monthly groceries
$460
$350
-24%
Avg monthly utilities
$125
$190
+52%
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
None
Houston saves
Walk score
88/100
48/100
San Francisco better
Transit score
80/100
36/100
San Francisco better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Houston to maintain the same standard of living as your current San Francisco salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$14,000
$249,000
$80,000
$19,000
$331,000
$100,000
$24,000
$414,000
$120,000
$29,000
$497,000
$150,000
$36,000
$621,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: San Francisco vs Houston
Who Each City Is Best For
San Francisco is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech professionals
- ✓high earners
- ✓urban walkability seekers
Houston is best for
- ✓energy sector workers
- ✓healthcare professionals
- ✓remote workers
- ✓families on a budget
FAQs
Is San Francisco or Houston cheaper to live in?
Houston is 76% cheaper than San Francisco overall. Houston 1BR rent ($1,280/mo) vs San Francisco ($2,800/mo). Median home price: Houston $305K vs San Francisco $1,100K.
How much salary do I need in Houston to match $100K in San Francisco?
$24,000 in Houston is equivalent to $100,000 in San Francisco based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-54% difference) and state taxes (San Francisco: Up to 13.3% vs Houston: None).
What is the rent difference between San Francisco and Houston?
1BR: San Francisco $2,800/mo vs Houston $1,280/mo (-54%). 2BR: San Francisco $3,800/mo vs Houston $1,620/mo (-57%).
Does San Francisco or Houston have lower taxes?
San Francisco (CA) has Up to 13.3% state income tax. Houston (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$13,300.