Pro Tip
Housing alone accounts for roughly 40% of cost-of-living differences between cities. A $500K home in Austin, TX could cost $1.2M in San Francisco. Always compare housing costs first — it's the biggest variable by far.
Cost of Living Calculator
Compare the cost of living between 70+ US cities. See side-by-side breakdowns for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and more. Find out what salary you need in a new city.
Houston Index
96
San Francisco Index
224
Index of 100 = national average. Higher means more expensive. Data from BLS & C2ER.
Overall Difference
+127.9%
San Francisco is 128% more expensive
Annual Cost Difference
$68,070
More per year in San Francisco
Equivalent Salary
$175,000
Needed in San Francisco to match $75,000 in Houston
Category-by-Category Comparison
| Category | Houston | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $17,515/yr | $77,323/yr | +$59,808(+341.5%) |
| Groceries & Food | $9,216/yr | $11,328/yr | +$2,112(+22.9%) |
| Transportation | $11,124/yr | $14,256/yr | +$3,132(+28.2%) |
| Healthcare | $5,184/yr | $6,372/yr | +$1,188(+22.9%) |
| Utilities | $4,200/yr | $4,830/yr | +$630(+15.0%) |
| Misc & Entertainment | $6,000/yr | $7,200/yr | +$1,200(+20.0%) |
| Total Annual Cost | $53,239/yr | $121,309/yr | +$68,070 |
Salary Adjustment
Current Salary in Houston
$75,000
Needed in San Francisco
$175,000
You would need $100,000 more annually to maintain the same standard of living.
Median Household Income
Houston, TX$56,019
Cost of living consumes ~98% of median income
San Francisco, CA$112,449
Cost of living consumes ~114% of median income
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