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Austin vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 98.1 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $74,580 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $56,950 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $76,051 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $61,297 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $428,524 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $97,638 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 4.4 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 2,357,497 | 4,653,593 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Austin to San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Austin to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.179.
| Salary in Austin | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Austin | $58,947 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Austin | $88,420 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Austin | $117,893 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Austin | $176,840 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Austin | $235,786 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Austin and San Francisco
| Job | Austin | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $29,310 | $38,810 | $29,888 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $143,630 | $193,430 | $146,463 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $30,130 | $44,620 | $30,724 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $146,480 | $177,240 | $149,369 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,610 | $176,900 | $99,535 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $36,160 | $47,290 | $36,873 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $33,780 | $43,260 | $34,446 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $45,370 | $56,950 | $46,265 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,380 | $51,280 | $41,176 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $77,010 | $110,360 | $78,529 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $37,070 | $48,720 | $37,801 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $32,970 | $46,460 | $33,620 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $41,500 | $50,270 | $42,318 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,190 | $47,210 | $40,983 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $91,300 | $120,780 | $93,101 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Austin vs San Francisco: questions
Is Austin more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 98.1 in Austin, TX and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Austin?
About $117,893, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Austin or San Francisco?
San Francisco, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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