The numbers, side by side
| Metric | San Francisco | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 191 | 121 | -70 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $3,400 | $1,700 | -$1,700 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $4,400 | $2,200 | -$2,200 |
| Median household income | $92,345 | $71,349 | -$20,996 |
| Population | 815,201 | 978,908 | +163,707 |
What salary you'd need in Austin
To maintain your San Francisco purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Austin.
San Francisco vs Austin: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, San Francisco's cost-of-living index of 191 runs roughly 36.6% higher than Austin's 121. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in San Francisco averages $3,400/month, vs $1,700/month in Austin — a -$1,700 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$2,200/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $20,400 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in San Francisco is $92,345, while Austin runs $71,349 (-$20,996 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
San Francisco is in California and Austin is in Texas, so you'll also pick up a state-tax difference. Tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, and Nevada deliver real take-home upside even when nominal salaries are similar.