Can I Afford to Live in Austin vs San Francisco on $150K?

Here's how a $150K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Austin, TX
$8,944/mo take-home
Rent: $1,800/mo (20% of take-home)
Very comfortable
San Francisco, CA
$7,781/mo take-home
Rent: $3,600/mo (46% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Austin
TX
San Francisco
CA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$8,944Best ✓
$7,781
1BR rent
$1,800Best ✓
$3,600
Groceries (est.)
$372Best ✓
$448
Transport (est.)
$50Best ✓
$100
Utilities
$170
$160Best ✓
Internet
$65Best ✓
$70
Left after essentials
$6,487/month
$3,403/month
Austin (Texas) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs San Francisco (CA rate: 9.3%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $150K a good salary in Austin?

At $150K/year in Austin, your estimated monthly take-home is $8,944. With 1BR rent around $1,800/month, rent takes up 20% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $150K a good salary in San Francisco?

At $150K/year in San Francisco, your estimated monthly take-home is $7,781. With 1BR rent around $3,600/month, rent takes up 46% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $150K salary?

Austin leaves you with more money after core expenses — $6,487/month vs $3,403/month in San Francisco.

Can I afford to live alone in Austin on $150K?

Yes. At $150K in Austin, rent takes 20% of your take-home, leaving $6,487/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Austin vs San Francisco

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only