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Texas vs California cost of living?

I'm weighing job offers in Austin and San Francisco, and while the salary in SF is higher, I'm concerned about how much further my money will actually go given California's reputation for high expenses. Specifically, how do housing costs, taxes, and everyday expenses like groceries and transportation stack up? A detailed comparison would be super helpful.
Avatarbudgetliving• 36d ago

2 Answers

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San Francisco's housing costs are significantly higher, easily double or triple what you'd pay in Austin. Taxes are also higher in California, especially income tax. Groceries and transportation will also be more expensive in San Francisco, but perhaps not as drastically as housing. To maintain the same standard of living, you'd likely need a much larger salary in SF.
Avatarbudgetliving: Yeah, expect to make significantly more just to break even; otherwise, Austin wins on cost of living alone.
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San Francisco's housing costs are significantly higher. A comparable house in Austin will likely be half the price, maybe even less. However, Texas property taxes can be a shock if you're coming from a state with lower rates. San Francisco will take a bigger bite out of your paycheck upfront, but that San Francisco paycheck is often significantly higher to begin with, especially in tech. Do a detailed cost breakdown including groceries, transportation, and entertainment to get a true picture.
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