City Comparison · 2026
San Francisco vs Austin
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in San Francisco = $60k in Austin
Metric
San Francisco
Austin
COL Index
2.14
✓1.28
1BR Monthly Rent
$3,200/mo
✓$1,800/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$4,200/mo
✓$2,300/mo
State Income Tax
CA
TX
$100k Take-Home
$73,198
✓$78,736
$100k Effective Rate
26.8%
✓21.26%
$100k Savings Potential
$34,798
✓$57,136
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | San Francisco CA | Austin TX |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco or Austin cheaper to live in?
San Francisco has a cost-of-living index of 2.14 while Austin is 1.28 (1.00 = US average). Austin is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in San Francisco is $3,200/month vs $1,800/month in Austin.
How much more do you need to earn in San Francisco vs Austin?
$100k in San Francisco = $60k in Austin. Cost of living in Austin is lower by 40.2%.
Which city has better after-tax income — San Francisco or Austin?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,198 in CA (San Francisco) and $78,736 in TX (Austin). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $34,798 in San Francisco vs $57,136 in Austin.
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