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Austin vs San Francisco: which is cheaper?

Austin is 18% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

I need $70,736 in San Francisco to live the same way.

🏠 Rent per month
$1,932
$3,201
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,941
$3,312
💵 Families earn per year
$101,010
$152,036
🔑 Buying a house
$555,300
$1,394,500
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
98.1
115.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$8,024
$9,862
⚡ Electric bill per month
$134
$104
👥 People living there
979,539
830,235
Commute to work
23.7 min
30.4 min
College degree
59.6%
60.3%
Own their home
43.4%
38.2%
Below poverty line
12%
11.2%
Unemployment
4.7%
6.1%

Bottom line

Pay for the same job

JobAustinSan FranciscoDifference
Firefighter$58,830$113,700+93% in San Francisco
Registered Nurse$97,890$186,610+91% in San Francisco
Carpenter$50,260$89,200+77% in San Francisco
Nurse Practitioner$128,050$219,080+71% in San Francisco
Elementary School Teacher$61,270$101,860+66% in San Francisco
Police Officer$82,290$132,000+60% in San Francisco
Electrician$60,390$92,830+54% in San Francisco
Market Research Analyst$80,460$123,250+53% in San Francisco

Frequently asked questions

Is Austin or San Francisco cheaper to live in?

Austin is about 18% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,932 a month there versus $3,201 in San Francisco.

What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $60,000 in Austin?

About $70,736 a year gives the same standard of living in San Francisco.

Where do people earn more, Austin or San Francisco?

The typical household earns $101,010 in Austin and $152,036 in San Francisco, 34% more in San Francisco.

More comparisons

All Austin comparisons → · All San Francisco comparisons →

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