San Francisco vs Houston
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Francisco, CA and Houston, TX.
San Francisco, CA
COL Index
179
Monthly Budget
$8,950
State Tax
12.3%
Population
0.9M
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
San Francisco is 86% more expensive than Houston
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,605 | $1,551 | +$2,054 |
| Groceries | $1,061 | $629 | +$432 |
| Transport | $1,369 | $771 | +$598 |
| Healthcare | $621 | $389 | +$232 |
| Utilities | $537 | $288 | +$249 |
| Other | $1,958 | $1,162 | +$796 |
| Total | $8,950 | $4,800 | +$4,150 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Francisco (CA) | Houston (TX) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $5,953 | $0 | +$5,953 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $26,773 | $20,820 | +$5,953 |
| Take-Home Pay | $73,227 | $79,180 | -$5,953 |
Salary Equivalent
What a San Francisco salary is worth in Houston (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Francisco Salary | Equivalent in Houston | Houston Salary | Equivalent in San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $26,816 | $50,000 | $93,229 |
| $75,000 | $40,223 | $75,000 | $139,844 |
| $100,000 | $53,631 | $100,000 | $186,458 |
| $150,000 | $80,447 | $150,000 | $279,688 |