San Francisco vs Austin
Cost of living comparison for 2026. Austin is roughly 44% more affordable than San Francisco (index 55 vs 98, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.
Life Power at $3,000/mo
The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.
Head-to-Head Stats
Price Breakdown
Digital Nomad Profile
San Francisco
Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco cheaper than Austin?
Austin is cheaper than San Francisco. Austin has a cost of living index of 55/100 compared to 98/100 for San Francisco (New York = 100), making it roughly 44% more affordable overall.
How much cheaper is Austin than San Francisco?
Austin is approximately 44% cheaper than San Francisco based on cost index scores (55 vs 98, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in San Francisco could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $1,670/month in Austin.
What is the rent comparison between San Francisco and Austin?
In San Francisco, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $3,524/month. In Austin, the equivalent is around $2,814/month.
Which city is better for digital nomads — San Francisco or Austin?
Both cities have nomad infrastructure. San Francisco offers 250 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$450/month. Austin offers 184 Mbps and coworking at ~$350/month. Austin has a cost advantage of 44%.
What is the average income in San Francisco vs Austin?
The median net monthly salary in San Francisco is approximately $7,346 USD, compared to $4,375 USD in Austin.
Compare San Francisco with…
Popular head-to-heads — see exactly where San Francisco wins or loses.
Cities that cost about the same as San Francisco
Same spending tier, different part of the world — the head-to-heads people actually weigh when relocating.
Explore this comparison interactively
See radar charts, detailed category breakdowns, and compare any two cities in real time.
Free to start · No credit card needed