Cost of Living: Austin vs San Francisco (2026)

Austin vs San Francisco cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Francisco is about 18% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $117,893 in San Francisco.

San Francisco is about 18% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $117,893 in San Francisco.

Austin vs San Francisco: the numbers

MetricAustinSan FranciscoDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)98116+18%
Median rent$1,655$2,419+46%
Median home value$512,700$1,380,500+169%
Median household income$91,461$141,446+55%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $117,893 in San Francisco. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Francisco is like $84,823 in Austin.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and San Francisco.

Compare any salary: Austin vs San Francisco

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

San Francisco is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 116 vs 98 — a 18% difference. Your money goes further in Austin.

About $117,893 — that's what you'd need in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin.