Dallas vs San Francisco
Cost of Living (2026)
Dallas is 133% less expensive than San Francisco. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.
Enter your salary → get exact comparisonAt a glance
Dallas, TX
COL index96 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo ✓
Median home price$340K ✓
VS
San Francisco, CA
COL index224
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$3,600/mo
Median home price$1350K
Cost breakdown by category
Salary equivalency: Dallas → San Francisco
What salary in San Francisco gives you the same purchasing power as your Dallas salary?
Dallas vs San Francisco: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
When comparing the cost of living between Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, Dallas comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 96 versus 224 for San Francisco — a difference of approximately 133%.
State income tax impact
Texas has no state income tax, giving Dallas workers an immediate 9.3% take-home pay advantage over San Francisco workers who pay California's 9.3% state income tax.
Housing costs
The median home price in Dallas is $340,000, compared to $1,350,000 in San Francisco. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,380/month in Dallas versus $3,600/month in San Francisco.