San Francisco vs Austin
Bay Area exit to lower housing costs
MapsToIt comparison snapshot
San Francisco or Austin — which fits a move?
San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX is a common relocator matchup (bay area exit to lower housing costs). Austin posts the lower MapsToIt housing cost index (146 vs 317; 100 = U.S. avg), with median homes near $512,700 versus $1,380,500. San Francisco shows the higher median household income ($141,446), while Austin edges the shorter average commute (26 vs 34 minutes).
Side-by-side metrics
Figures use the same ACS housing index, BLS unemployment, FBI rates, and NOAA normals as each city profile — shown against U.S. / catalog baselines.
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | U.S. / catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 836,321 | 967,862 | N/A City limits only (not metro / MSA) |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $91,461 | $78,538 80% above national average · relatively higher |
| Median home value | $1,380,500 | $512,700 | $303,400 355% above national average |
| Median rent | $2,419 | $1,655 | $1,348 79% above national average |
| Housing cost index | 317 | 146 | 100 100 = U.S. average (ACS home + rent) |
| Unemployment | 3.3% | 3.5% | 4.2% County LAUS rate, not city-only |
| Avg commute | 34 min | 26 min | 25 min 36% above national average |
| Violent crime rate | 669.6 / 100k | 400.9 / 100k | 602.7 / 100k Citywide rate — inspect neighborhood / block data |
| Property crime rate | 5505.6 / 100k | 3710.5 / 100k | 3084.9 / 100k Citywide rate — inspect neighborhood / block data |
| Sunny days | 294 days | 279 days | 266 days 11% above national average · relatively higher |
| Summer high | 67°F | 96°F | 87°F NOAA normals · nearest station |
| Winter low | 47°F | 44°F | 34°F NOAA normals · nearest station |
When should you pick San Francisco?
Choose San Francisco when you prioritize its specific mix: housing index 317, median rent $2,419, unemployment 3.3%, and 67°F summer highs — with research often starting in Mission and Marina.
When should you pick Austin?
Choose Austin when that profile fits better: housing index 146, median rent $1,655, unemployment 3.5%, and 96°F summer highs — newcomers often compare Downtown and South Congress.
Short verdict
Short verdict: pick Austin if housing cost is the binding constraint; pick San Francisco if you are optimizing for higher local incomes and can absorb the 171-point housing-index gap. Open each full city profile for neighborhood lists, sources, and the interactive compare tool.