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Houston vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 98.6 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $67,610 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $49,410 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $68,550 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,394 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $308,306 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $80,458 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 3.8 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 7,274,714 | 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: Houston to San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Houston to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.172.
| Salary in Houston | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Houston | $58,610 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Houston | $87,915 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Houston | $117,220 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Houston | $175,830 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Houston | $234,440 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Houston and San Francisco
| Job | Houston | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $25,830 | $38,810 | $26,189 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $133,130 | $193,430 | $134,981 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,630 | $44,620 | $28,014 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $146,320 | $177,240 | $148,354 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $100,290 | $176,900 | $101,684 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $34,640 | $47,290 | $35,122 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $30,100 | $43,260 | $30,518 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $43,320 | $56,950 | $43,922 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,910 | $51,280 | $40,465 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $74,210 | $110,360 | $75,242 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $32,660 | $48,720 | $33,114 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,180 | $46,460 | $29,586 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $38,270 | $50,270 | $38,802 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,670 | $47,210 | $39,208 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $95,640 | $120,780 | $96,969 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Houston vs San Francisco: questions
Is Houston more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 98.6 in Houston, TX and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Houston?
About $117,220, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Houston 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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