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Cost of Living: San Francisco, CA vs Houston, TX

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

35.1% Houston, TX is cheaper overall
56.2% 56.2% cheaper housing
18.3% 18.3% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 56.2% cheaper
San Francisco
210
Houston
92
🛒 Groceries 18.3% cheaper
San Francisco
115
Houston
94
🚗 Transportation 21.9% cheaper
San Francisco
128
Houston
100
🏥 Healthcare 19.5% cheaper
San Francisco
118
Houston
95
⚡ Utilities ~Same
San Francisco
108
Houston
106

Detailed Breakdown

Category San Francisco, CA Houston, TX Difference
Overall Cost Index1489635.1% less
Housing2109256.2% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,000$1,20060.0% less
Median Home Price$1,250,000$295,00076.4% less
Groceries1159418.3% less
Transportation12810021.9% less
Healthcare1189519.5% less
Utilities108106~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type San Francisco, CA Houston, TX
State Income Tax13.30% (top)None (0%)
State Sales Tax7.25%6.25%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.71%1.60%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

San Francisco, CA
$130,000
Median household income
Houston, TX
$67,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: Houston costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in Houston to maintain your San Francisco lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: San Francisco (148) vs Houston (96). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
San Francisco3.8%
Houston4.5%
Job Growth (YoY)
San Francisco3.2%
Houston3.1%
Top Industries
San FranciscoTech, Biotech, Finance
HoustonEnergy, Healthcare, Aerospace

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
San Francisco34 min
Houston30 min
Walk Score
San Francisco87
Houston33
Air Quality (AQI)
San Francisco42
Houston52
Avg Temperature
San Francisco57°F
Houston70°F
Population
San Francisco808,437
Houston2,304,580

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in San Francisco and Houston → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in Houston →

Compare Other Cities

San Francisco vs Austin → San Francisco vs Denver → San Francisco vs Nashville → Houston vs Raleigh → Houston vs Portland → Houston vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is San Francisco or Houston cheaper to live in?+
Houston is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 56.2%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in San Francisco vs Houston?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,000/month in San Francisco and $1,200/month in Houston — a difference of about $1,800 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, San Francisco or Houston?+
California has a state income tax of 13.30% (top) and sales tax of 7.25%. Texas has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.25%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from San Francisco to Houston?+
Median household income in San Francisco is $130,000 compared to $67,000 in Houston. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in San Francisco vs Houston?+
The median home price in San Francisco is $1,250,000 versus $295,000 in Houston — a difference of $955,000. Property tax rates also differ: California averages 0.71% while Texas averages 1.60%.