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 vs $91,461). Austin runs hotter in summer (96°F vs 67°F). Austin has the lower citywide violent-offense rate (400.9 vs 669.6 per 100k). Austin has 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 | 827,526 | 993,588 | N/A City limits only (not metro / MSA) |
| Median household income | $141,446 | $91,461 | $78,538 U.S. avg · 80% above U.S. avg · relatively higher |
| Median home value | $1,380,500 | $512,700 | $303,400 U.S. avg · 355% above U.S. avg |
| Median rent | $2,419 | $1,655 | $1,348 U.S. avg · 79% above U.S. avg |
| Housing cost index | 317 | 146 | 100 U.S. avg · 100 = U.S. average (ACS home + rent) |
| Unemployment | 3.9% | 3.9% | 4.2% U.S. rate · county LAUS, not city-only |
| Avg commute | 34 min | 26 min | 25 min Catalog avg · 36% above catalog avg |
| Violent crime rate | 669.6 / 100k | 400.9 / 100k | 559.5 / 100k Catalog avg · citywide rate — inspect neighborhood / block data |
| Property crime rate | 5505.6 / 100k | 3710.5 / 100k | 3005.3 / 100k Catalog avg · citywide rate — inspect neighborhood / block data |
| Sunny days | 294 days | 279 days | 268 days Catalog avg · 10% above catalog avg · relatively higher |
| Summer high | 67°F | 96°F | 87°F Catalog avg · NOAA normals · nearest station |
| Winter low | 47°F | 44°F | 35°F Catalog avg · 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 3.9%, 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 3.9%, 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 Austin if the lower citywide violent-offense rate matters more; pick San Francisco for higher local incomes. The housing-index gap is 171 points. Open each full city profile for neighborhood lists, sources, and the interactive compare tool.