Houston
San FranciscoVS
Houston is 37% cheaper than San Francisco overall.
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| Houston | San Francisco | |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City Centre) | $2,102.10 CAD | $4,764.76 CAD |
| Rent (1BR Outside Centre) | $1,751.75 CAD | $3,783.78 CAD |
| Groceries Index | 98 | 122 |
| Monthly Transit Pass | $126.13 CAD | $113.51 CAD |
| Utilities (monthly) | $238.24 CAD | $224.22 CAD |
| Gas (per litre) | $1.09 CAD | $1.82 CAD |
| Mid-range Meal | $30.83 CAD | $39.24 CAD |
| Gym Membership | $56.06 CAD | $105.11 CAD |
| Childcare (monthly) | $1,681.68 CAD | $3,223.22 CAD |
Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.
Salary Equivalence Calculator
If you earn $in Houston...
You would need $94,959 in San Francisco to maintain the same lifestyle.
Frequently asked questions
Is Houston cheaper than San Francisco?
Houston is 37% cheaper than San Francisco overall.
How much is rent in Houston vs San Francisco?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $1,500 USD per month in Houston and $3,400 USD in San Francisco. Outside the centre, it is $1,250 USD in Houston and $2,700 USD in San Francisco.
What salary do I need to move from Houston to San Francisco?
On average, you need about 158% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Houston is roughly equivalent to $94,959 in San Francisco.