Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, San Francisco, CA is 17.9% more expensive than Austin, TX (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Austin works out to about $88,400 in San Francisco, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 61.8% more in San Francisco. Goods are 15.7% higher and other services 10.4% higher.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 110.4% higher in San Francisco.
- Typical asking rent is $3,445 a month in San Francisco and $1,603 in Austin, $22,104 a year more in San Francisco (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $1,120,000 in San Francisco and $414,000 in Austin.
- The gap has narrowed since 2019, when San Francisco was 20.5% more expensive than Austin.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 61.8% higher in San Francisco than in Austin
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Austin, TX
- San Francisco, CA
All items Austin, TX: 98.1 San Francisco, CA: 115.6
Goods Austin, TX: 93.8 San Francisco, CA: 108.5
Housing (rents) Austin, TX: 120.4 San Francisco, CA: 194.7
Utilities Austin, TX: 82.0 San Francisco, CA: 172.6
Other services Austin, TX: 96.2 San Francisco, CA: 106.2
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.1 | 115.6 |
| Goods | 93.8 | 108.5 |
| Housing (rents) | 120.4 | 194.7 |
| Utilities | 82.0 | 172.6 |
| Other services | 96.2 | 106.2 |
| Category | Austin | San Francisco | San Francisco vs Austin |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.1 | 115.6 | +17.9% |
| Goods | 93.8 | 108.5 | +15.7% |
| Housing (rents) | 120.4 | 194.7 | +61.8% |
| Utilities | 82.0 | 172.6 | +110.4% |
| Other services | 96.2 | 106.2 | +10.4% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,603 | $3,445 | +114.9% |
| Typical home value | $414,000 | $1,120,000 | +170.4% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Austin | $75,000 | $88,400 | +17.9% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Austin and San Francisco has narrowed since 2008: 19.5 points then, 17.5 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Austin, TX
- San Francisco, CA
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.6 | 119.1 |
| 2009 | 98.9 | 115.2 |
| 2010 | 99.8 | 113.9 |
| 2011 | 100.3 | 112.4 |
| 2012 | 100.9 | 112.5 |
| 2013 | 100.8 | 112.9 |
| 2014 | 101.4 | 114.0 |
| 2015 | 101.6 | 115.8 |
| 2016 | 102.6 | 116.4 |
| 2017 | 101.8 | 121.6 |
| 2018 | 99.0 | 122.3 |
| 2019 | 99.4 | 119.7 |
| 2020 | 101.1 | 119.6 |
| 2021 | 100.0 | 120.0 |
| 2022 | 98.8 | 118.0 |
| 2023 | 98.3 | 117.6 |
| 2024 | 98.1 | 115.6 |
Goods
- Austin, TX
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.1 | 117.8 |
| 2009 | 95.2 | 110.0 |
| 2010 | 96.6 | 107.0 |
| 2011 | 96.9 | 105.5 |
| 2012 | 97.3 | 108.0 |
| 2013 | 97.3 | 109.9 |
| 2014 | 97.6 | 108.8 |
| 2015 | 97.0 | 111.4 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 111.2 |
| 2017 | 97.1 | 114.0 |
| 2018 | 94.4 | 116.2 |
| 2019 | 96.2 | 113.8 |
| 2020 | 96.2 | 113.0 |
| 2021 | 96.2 | 113.8 |
| 2022 | 93.7 | 114.4 |
| 2023 | 92.9 | 115.2 |
| 2024 | 93.8 | 108.5 |
Housing (rents)
- Austin, TX
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 110.0 | 191.0 |
| 2009 | 111.7 | 192.1 |
| 2010 | 108.1 | 189.2 |
| 2011 | 110.3 | 191.9 |
| 2012 | 115.2 | 189.0 |
| 2013 | 114.7 | 190.7 |
| 2014 | 117.7 | 198.1 |
| 2015 | 119.2 | 204.5 |
| 2016 | 122.7 | 210.4 |
| 2017 | 124.9 | 215.2 |
| 2018 | 121.9 | 219.7 |
| 2019 | 121.5 | 213.0 |
| 2020 | 124.5 | 227.1 |
| 2021 | 122.5 | 213.5 |
| 2022 | 126.3 | 206.3 |
| 2023 | 126.4 | 200.1 |
| 2024 | 120.4 | 194.7 |
Utilities
- Austin, TX
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 99.7 | 115.6 |
| 2009 | 94.4 | 115.7 |
| 2010 | 95.0 | 118.5 |
| 2011 | 90.2 | 113.2 |
| 2012 | 88.5 | 110.3 |
| 2013 | 89.9 | 130.1 |
| 2014 | 93.3 | 135.1 |
| 2015 | 90.8 | 142.5 |
| 2016 | 86.8 | 145.5 |
| 2017 | 82.7 | 152.4 |
| 2018 | 84.1 | 158.4 |
| 2019 | 85.7 | 162.8 |
| 2020 | 85.8 | 161.3 |
| 2021 | 85.8 | 167.0 |
| 2022 | 87.4 | 170.4 |
| 2023 | 89.2 | 162.2 |
| 2024 | 82.0 | 172.6 |
Other services
- Austin, TX
- San Francisco, CA
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 98.5 | 107.0 |
| 2009 | 98.1 | 104.0 |
| 2010 | 100.0 | 104.1 |
| 2011 | 100.8 | 102.7 |
| 2012 | 100.7 | 102.2 |
| 2013 | 100.3 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 100.3 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 101.0 | 104.3 |
| 2016 | 102.3 | 104.9 |
| 2017 | 100.5 | 111.0 |
| 2018 | 97.7 | 110.8 |
| 2019 | 96.9 | 108.6 |
| 2020 | 99.3 | 105.2 |
| 2021 | 98.1 | 108.2 |
| 2022 | 96.7 | 105.9 |
| 2023 | 95.8 | 105.4 |
| 2024 | 96.2 | 106.2 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $3,445 in San Francisco vs $1,603 in Austin
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Austin, TX
- San Francisco, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,179 | $2,247 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,204 | $2,348 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,215 | $2,413 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,212 | $2,413 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,223 | $2,448 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,251 | $2,505 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,249 | $2,507 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,236 | $2,467 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $1,266 | $2,518 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $1,285 | $2,570 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $1,277 | $2,597 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $1,270 | $2,583 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $1,286 | $2,614 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $1,312 | $2,663 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $1,322 | $2,687 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $1,327 | $2,675 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $1,348 | $2,703 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $1,370 | $2,742 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $1,386 | $2,761 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $1,381 | $2,744 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $1,401 | $2,768 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $1,383 | $2,732 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $1,383 | $2,618 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $1,374 | $2,520 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,425 | $2,549 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,533 | $2,647 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,660 | $2,739 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,671 | $2,732 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,705 | $2,797 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,774 | $2,863 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,788 | $2,887 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,730 | $2,830 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,744 | $2,859 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,748 | $2,874 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,717 | $2,878 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,683 | $2,831 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,671 | $2,869 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,682 | $2,913 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,650 | $2,926 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,610 | $2,915 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,617 | $2,975 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,626 | $3,041 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,592 | $3,082 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,563 | $3,084 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,577 | $3,161 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,598 | $3,291 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,603 | $3,445 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $1,120,000 in San Francisco vs $414,000 in Austin
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Austin, TX
- San Francisco, CA
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $258K | $669K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $263K | $693K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $268K | $715K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $274K | $739K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $279K | $765K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $284K | $770K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $287K | $765K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $291K | $774K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $295K | $794K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $298K | $809K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $299K | $821K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $303K | $848K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $306K | $881K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $308K | $905K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $310K | $912K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $313K | $914K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $314K | $905K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $316K | $901K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $319K | $906K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $325K | $912K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $333K | $926K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $337K | $926K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $346K | $934K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $365K | $972K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $394K | $1.01M | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $454K | $1.06M | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $483K | $1.09M | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $494K | $1.11M | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $530K | $1.18M | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $565K | $1.22M | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $545K | $1.16M | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $516K | $1.11M | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $494K | $1.07M | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $486K | $1.08M | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $482K | $1.1M | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $473K | $1.1M | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $468K | $1.1M | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $465K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $460K | $1.13M | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $457K | $1.13M | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $450K | $1.12M | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $440K | $1.1M | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $433K | $1.09M | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $429K | $1.1M | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $423K | $1.1M | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $415K | $1.11M | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $414K | $1.12M | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Austin, TX
- Cost of living in San Francisco, CA
- Reverse: moving from San Francisco to Austin
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.