San Francisco vs Dallas
Cost of Living (2026)
Dallas is 57% more affordable than San Francisco. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.
Enter your salary → get exact comparisonAt a glance
San Francisco, CA
COL index224
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$3,600/mo
Median home price$1350K
VS
Dallas, TX
COL index96 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo ✓
Median home price$340K ✓
Cost breakdown by category
Salary equivalency: San Francisco → Dallas
What salary in Dallas gives you the same purchasing power as your San Francisco salary?
San Francisco vs Dallas: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
When comparing the cost of living between San Francisco, CA and Dallas, TX, Dallas comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 96 versus 224 for San Francisco — a difference of approximately 57%.
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 San Francisco is $1,350,000, compared to $340,000 in Dallas. Average 1-bedroom rent is $3,600/month in San Francisco versus $1,380/month in Dallas.