Source-led head-to-head · 2024 ACS
Moving from Austin to San Francisco
Moving from Austin to San Francisco involves distinct housing, income, commute, and tax trade-offs according to 2024 ACS 5-year Census data. In a standardized renting scenario, Austin averages approximately $8,964 less per year in baseline core expenses. Austin records a median gross rent of $1,729/mo against $2,476/mo in San Francisco, while median household incomes stand at $93,658 and $140,970 respectively. Commute times average 26 minutes in Austin compared to 33 minutes in San Francisco. State income tax policies (Texas: 0.0%, California: 9.3%) can further influence take-home earnings.
Corridor Direction & Trade-off Delta
⇄ Switch to San Francisco → AustinMoving from Austin to San Francisco
Median Rent Impact
+$747/mo
Moving to San Francisco costs ~$8,964 more/yr in rent.
State Tax Treatment
+9.3%
~$9,300 more state tax on a $100k salary in California.
Daily Commute Difference
+7 min / day
Difference of ~58 hours per year spent commuting based on 2024 ACS midpoint averages.
Your move
Compare the life behind the offer.
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Search all 32,330 U.S. Census places directly below.Instant results use official 2024 ACS place data. Places with incomplete required signals remain visible in search but cannot be selected.
Directional estimate using ACS citywide benchmarks. Verified profiles may include a simplified state-tax reference; automatically added profiles exclude state tax until an official reference is approved. Exact tax, benefits, debt, housing, insurance, and personal circumstances may materially change the result.
LIVE VERDICTATX → SFO
41/ 100
The offer needs work
The destination absorbs more of the offer.Estimated annual life delta−$6,996after modeled taxes and essentials
Best gainThe highest household-income benchmark in the twelve-city reviewed set
Watch closelyThe reviewed set's highest rent and owner-occupied home-value benchmarks
The short answer
In the uniform one-person renting baseline, Austin is about $8,964 lower per year. This is not a verdict by itself: replace city medians with the actual offer, address, household, benefits, insurance, and tax details before deciding.
Austin household income$93,658
San Francisco household income$140,970
Austin gross rent$1,729
San Francisco gross rent$2,476
Housing, income, and tax reference
| Metric | Austin | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 ACS population | 979,539 | 830,235 |
| Median household income | $93,658 | $140,970 |
| Median gross rent | $1,729 | $2,476 |
| Median owner-occupied home value | $555,300 | $1,394,500 |
| State-tax treatment | 0% simplified | 9.3% simplified |
Time and daily routine
The commute-time distribution produces a weighted one-way estimate of about 26 minutes in Austin and 33 minutes in San Francisco. This citywide estimate cannot capture a specific route, remote-work schedule, or transit choice, so the calculator converts it into an explicit time difference instead of hiding it in a subjective lifestyle score.
Decision checklist
- Housing cost: San Francisco median rent is ~$8,964/year higher
- Income benchmark: San Francisco has a higher median household income by $47,312
- State tax treatment: Texas (0.0%) vs California (9.3%)
- Commute reality: 26 min one-way (Austin) vs 33 min (San Francisco)
What each city wins
Austin
Rent is affordable relative to income; home purchase is not.. Watch lower rent burden may reflect high incomes or constrained supply; high home values suggest strong demand or limited inventory..
San Francisco
The highest household-income benchmark in the twelve-city reviewed set. Watch the reviewed set's highest rent and owner-occupied home-value benchmarks.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco than Austin?
No. San Francisco has a higher median gross rent benchmark ($2,476/mo) compared to Austin ($1,729/mo).
How do salaries compare between Austin and San Francisco?
The 2024 ACS 5-year Census estimate indicates median household income in Austin is $93,658 versus $140,970 in San Francisco.
How does moving from Austin to San Francisco impact state income tax?
Texas has no state income tax, whereas California uses an official reference rate of 9.3%.
Source boundary: Core figures come from the 2024 ACS five-year tables linked on each city profile. Commute is derived from B08303 midpoint weighting. Tax rates are simplified official references, not personal tax calculations. This comparison becomes index-eligible only after its unique analysis clears the content quality gate.