San Francisco vs Austin — Cost of Living
Rent, overall costs and the equivalent salary you'd need to keep your lifestyle.
| San Francisco | Austin | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall cost index | 98 | 72 |
| Rent index | 99 | 65 |
| 1-bed city-centre rent | $3,300 | $1,700 |
A $60,000 lifestyle in San Francisco needs about
$44,082
in Austin (cost-of-living parity, before tax)
San Francisco
Tech salaries are high but rent and taxes claw much of it back.
Austin
No state income tax and lower rents make take-home stretch further than the coasts.
Remember that cost of living is only half the story — tax differs too. Check take-home pay with the United States calculator and United States calculator, or use the interactive comparator.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Is Austin cheaper than San Francisco?
Austin has an overall cost-of-living index of 72 versus San Francisco's 98, so it is cheaper by roughly 27%, driven largely by rent.
+What salary do I need in Austin to match San Francisco?
To maintain a $60,000 lifestyle from San Francisco, you'd need roughly $44,082 in Austin, based on cost-of-living parity (before tax differences).
Estimate only — not tax advice. Figures are estimates based on publicly available tax rules and may not reflect your full circumstances. See our methodology & sources (last reviewed June 2026). Always confirm with an official tax authority or a licensed adviser before making decisions.