City Cost Report
Houston skyline
Houston
San Francisco skyline
San Francisco
VS

Houston is 37% cheaper than San Francisco overall.

HoustonSan Francisco
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,098.20 CAD$4,755.92 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$1,748.50 CAD$3,776.76 CAD
Groceries Index98122
Monthly Transit Pass$125.89 CAD$113.30 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$237.80 CAD$223.81 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.09 CAD$1.82 CAD
Mid-range Meal$30.77 CAD$39.17 CAD
Gym Membership$55.95 CAD$104.91 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$1,678.56 CAD$3,217.24 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.

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