Plano vs San Francisco
Cost of Living (2026)

Plano is 113% less expensive than San Francisco. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.

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At a glance

Plano, TX

COL index105
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,500/mo
Median home price$430K
VS

San Francisco, CA

COL index224
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$3,600/mo
Median home price$1350K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryPlano indexSan Francisco indexDifference
Housing137297+160%
Groceries100209+109%
Transportation100205+105%
Healthcare102215+113%
Utilities100193+93%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: PlanoSan Francisco

What salary in San Francisco gives you the same purchasing power as your Plano salary?

Salary in PlanoEquivalent in San FranciscoDifference
$60,000$147,000+$87,000
$80,000$197,000+$117,000
$100,000$246,000+$146,000
$130,000$320,000+$190,000
$150,000$369,000+$219,000
$200,000$492,000+$292,000

Plano vs San Francisco: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Plano, TX and San Francisco, CA, Plano comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 105 versus 224 for San Francisco — a difference of approximately 113%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Plano 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 Plano is $430,000, compared to $1,350,000 in San Francisco. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month in Plano versus $3,600/month in San Francisco.

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