San Francisco vs Houston
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 59% more affordable than San Francisco. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs California's 9.3%.

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At a glance

San Francisco, CA

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

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySan Francisco indexHouston indexDifference
Housing297118 ✓-179%
Groceries20987 ✓-122%
Transportation20588 ✓-117%
Healthcare21588 ✓-127%
Utilities19389 ✓-104%

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

Salary equivalency: San Francisco → Houston

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

Salary in San FranciscoEquivalent in HoustonDifference
$60,000$21,000$-39,000
$80,000$28,000$-52,000
$100,000$35,000$-65,000
$130,000$46,000$-84,000
$150,000$53,000$-97,000
$200,000$71,000$-129,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between San Francisco, CA and Houston, TX, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 224 for San Francisco — a difference of approximately 59%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston 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 $290,000 in Houston. Average 1-bedroom rent is $3,600/month in San Francisco versus $1,250/month in Houston.

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