Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Austin vs San Francisco
Austin vs San Francisco cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Austin
πΊπΈ San FranciscoAustin is 58% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $5,920 a month in Austin feels like about $10,236 in San Francisco β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$310 vs $442
Per month
$5,920 vs $10,236
Local meal
$ 15 vs $ 20
$15 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 16 vs $ 21
$16 vs $21
At a glance
FoodAustin 27% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksAustin 24% cheaper
TransportAustin 36% cheaper
StayAustin 41% cheaper
FunAustin 16% cheaper
- Where Austin is clearly cheaper: Transit (55%β), Studio rent (month) (48%β), Hotel night (32%β)
Item by item
| Item | Austin | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 15$15 | $ 20$20 | Austin β25% |
| Street food1 item | $ 6.8$6.8 | $ 9$9 | Austin β24% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 38$38 | $ 55$55 | Austin β31% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 6$6 | Austin β17% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6.5$6.5 | $ 9$9 | Austin β28% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 17$17 | $ 23$23 | Austin β26% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Austin β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 6.3$6.3 | Austin β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 16$16 | $ 21$21 | Austin β24% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 13$13 | Austin β15% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.25$1.25 | $ 2.75$2.75 | Austin β55% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 56$56 | $ 67$67 | Austin β16% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 170$170 | $ 250$250 | Austin β32% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,700$1,700 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Austin β48% |
| Laundry | $ 3.5$3.5 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Austin β22% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 23$23 | $ 28$28 | Austin β18% |
| Haircutcut | $ 33$33 | $ 39$39 | Austin β15% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 93$93 | $ 110$110 | Austin β15% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 84$84 | $ 100$100 | Austin β16% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 23$23 | $ 28$28 | Austin β18% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Austin or San Francisco?
Austin is 58% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $310 vs $442; a month $5,920 vs $10,236.
How do monthly costs compare between Austin and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Austin is about $5,920 and San Francisco about $10,236 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.