Austin, Texas, and San Francisco, California, are two vibrant US cities with unique characteristics. Austin, known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," boasts a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, and entrepreneurial spirit. On the other hand, San Francisco, the heart of the tech industry, is famously diverse and known for its stunning views, steep hills and expansive shoreline. Here, we lay out some key aspects of living and visiting these cities - including safety, weather, cost of living, education, work and economy, infrastructure, and more.
Distance between
Austin, TX and
San Francisco, CA : 1,499.2 miles
Austin's population is larger by 18%. Its population has grown by 307,615 people (46.9%) since 2000. The population of San Francisco has grown by 38,468 people (5.0%) during that time.
Generally, San Francisco has a higher crime rate than Austin, which is fairly moderate for a city its size. However, like any city, both have areas that are considered less safe than others. Residents and tourists should stay vigilant and be aware of their surroundings, particularly at night. Emergency services in both cities are on par with large metropolitan areas, with response times typically within minutes.
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
City-data.com crime index counts serious crimes and violent crime more heavily. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. (higher means more crime, U.S. average = 301.1)
Sex Offenders
According to our data, there are 1,398 registered sex offenders living in Austin and 830 registered sex offenders living in . The ratio of residents to sex offenders in Austin is 678 to 1; the ratio in San Francisco is 1,049 to 1. The number of registered sex offenders compared to the number of residents is larger in Austin than in San Francisco.
Cost of Living
San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the US, with high housing costs, groceries, and transportation costs. In contrast, Austin is substantially more affordable, with lower housing costs and overall cost of living, making it a more viable option for those on a budget.
Income Tax
While California has one of the highest income tax rates in the country, Texas does not have a state income tax, which is a significant difference between the two cities.
Property Tax
Property taxes are higher in Austin as Texas does not have income tax, while property taxes in San Francisco are lower, due to high state income taxes.
Sales Tax
San Francisco has a sales tax rate of 8.5% and Austin’s sales tax rate is 8.25%. Both rates are higher than the national average.
Income
Type
Austin
San Francisco
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$121,826
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$80,383
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
141.1
If you make $50,000 in Austin, you will have to make $73,185 in San Francisco to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
San Francisco is characterized by its beautiful bays, steep rolling hills, and cool maritime climate. Austin's geography is a mix of hills and flatlands, with the beautiful Colorado River flowing through the city.
Both cities have top-quality education systems. San Francisco has many prestigious private schools and public schools. Austin is home to a highly-rated public education system and higher education institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin, St. Edward's University, and Austin Community College.
San Francisco’s economy is driven largely by the tech industry, with companies like Twitter, Uber, and Salesforce headquartered in the city. Austin too has a strong tech presence (leading to its nickname 'Silicon Hills') with companies such as Dell, IBM, and Amazon operating in the area. Both cities also have robust creative and entertainment industries.
Biggest Employers
San Francisco's biggest employers include Salesforce, Kaiser Permanente, and City and County of San Francisco. Austin's major employers include the State of Texas, University of Texas Austin, Dell Technologies, and Ascension Seton.
There were 4,180 building permits issued in Austin in 2012 (2467 more than in 2011) compared to 33 building permits issued in San Francisco in 2012 (2 more than in 2011).
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In San Francisco (San Francisco County), 83.5% voted for Democrats and 13.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
San Francisco
Austin
San Francisco
Austin
San Francisco
2020
71.7%
85.3%
26.5%
12.7%
1.8%
2.0%
2016
65.8%
84.6%
27.2%
9.2%
7.0%
6.2%
2012
60.2%
83.5%
36.2%
13.0%
3.6%
3.4%
2008
63.8%
84.4%
34.4%
13.7%
1.8%
2.0%
2004
56.1%
83.0%
42.1%
15.2%
1.8%
1.8%
2000
41.7%
75.7%
47.0%
16.1%
11.3%
8.1%
1996
52.4%
72.2%
40.0%
15.7%
7.7%
12.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
San Francisco
Austin
San Francisco
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
15.0%
4.5%
9.6%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
0.7%
22.8%
8.4%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
0.8%
2.8%
3.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.8%
0.7%
1.2%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.2%
2.5%
1.7%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.2%
2.1%
1.5%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.1%
0.6%
0.1%
2.5%
Weather
San Francisco's weather is characterized by cool, foggy summers and mild winters, while Austin has a hot, humid climate with mild to cool winters. Austin's hotter summers may not be to everyone's liking, but it does enjoy more sunshine throughout the year in comparison to San Francisco.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
San Francisco
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
58.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
84.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
29%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
91%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
62%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
22.2 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
26.8%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
73%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
22%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
77%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
55%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
11.4 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in San Francisco, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
San Francisco
Austin
San Francisco
Austin
San Francisco
Austin
San Francisco
San Francisco
Austin
San Francisco
Austin
San Francisco
2018
76
104
N/A
0.35
4.9
11.3
26.7
23.4
0.012
N/A
8.7
11.9
0.2
0.4
2017
76
96
N/A
0.40
4.6
11.4
29.7
22.5
0.008
N/A
8.3
9.9
0.3
0.6
2016
71
68
N/A
0.39
4.2
10.6
29.5
22.4
0.005
N/A
8.2
7.9
0.2
0.8
2015
78
85
N/A
0.41
4.4
12.1
28.9
22.5
0.004
N/A
8.6
7.9
0.3
0.8
2014
74
85
N/A
0.38
5.2
12.1
28.3
21.8
0.005
N/A
8.7
7.7
0.5
0.6
2013
78
88
0.09
0.40
5.5
13.9
29.5
20.4
0.004
N/A
8.6
10.2
0.5
0.5
2012
86
75
0.13
0.40
5.5
12.8
30.1
22.7
0.003
N/A
8.6
8.2
N/A
1.1
2011
83
86
0.11
0.24
2.6
14.1
33.0
21.3
0.003
N/A
9.1
9.5
N/A
1.7
2010
77
84
0.05
0.21
3.2
13.4
29.4
22.0
0.004
N/A
8.8
10.6
N/A
1.0
2009
76
95
0.05
0.30
2.6
15.1
29.7
20.4
0.005
N/A
9.0
12.8
N/A
1.1
2008
81
94
0.12
0.43
3.2
15.6
30.7
21.7
0.007
N/A
9.7
11.7
N/A
0.9
2007
82
84
0.12
0.45
3.1
15.6
27.1
20.5
0.007
N/A
9.8
8.9
N/A
1.2
2006
89
86
0.14
0.52
3.8
16.1
31.3
21.5
N/A
N/A
10.0
8.7
0.2
1.6
2005
92
89
0.15
0.39
4.4
14.8
29.0
20.5
N/A
N/A
10.7
8.8
0.2
1.3
2004
74
93
0.16
0.44
3.3
16.1
26.8
20.9
0.004
N/A
N/A
11.2
N/A
2.5
2003
85
65
0.26
0.64
4.2
18.4
28.9
19.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.1
1.7
2002
83
62
0.33
0.69
3.9
18.6
27.2
19.6
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2001
83
64
0.31
0.72
4.2
19.2
25.5
19.0
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.4
2000
86
60
0.28
0.71
4.7
20.3
27.8
17.1
0.017
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
San Francisco
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
7.7%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
7,468.1%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
6%
Transportation
San Francisco Muni, BART, and ferries provide public transportation in San Francisco. Austin’s public transportation includes buses, a MetroRail, and bikeshare programs. However, Austin has more traffic congestion than San Francisco.
Transport
Type
Austin
San Francisco
Amtrak stations
1
4
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
911
453
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
9
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
San Francisco
Bicycle
0.8%
2.7%
Bus
1.5%
11.4%
Carpooled
7.9%
9.1%
Car alone
85.9%
53.9%
Ferryboat
0.1%
0.4%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.9%
Railroad
0%
0.7%
Streetcar
0%
7.9%
Subway
0%
1.6%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.4%
Walked
2%
8.3%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
San Francisco
Average
29.9 min
38 min
Other means
22.7 min
28.3 min
Public transportation
37.9 min
39.7 min
Private vehicle occupancy
Type
Austin
San Francisco
Average
1.1
1.2
Drove alone
91.2%
85.5%
In 2 person carpool
6.3%
10.1%
In 3 person carpool
1.7%
3.2%
In 4 person carpool
0.6%
0.9%
In 5-6 person carpool
0.1%
0.2%
In 7+ person carpool
0.2%
0.1%
How many people usually rode to work in the car, truck or van.
Real Estate
The real estate market in San Francisco is notoriously high, with the median home price into the millions. Austin's real estate is more affordable, although prices have been rising due to its growing popularity.
Neighborhoods
San Francisco’s neighbourhoods, such as Mission District, Presidio, and SoMa each have unique characteristics and charm. Austin's neighborhoods like East Austin, Hyde Park, and the South Congress area also offer a diverse range of living experiences.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
San Francisco
Houses
469,156
412,269
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.3
Median year apartment built
1997
1953
Median year house/condo built
1988
1942
Length of stay in the house since moving in
12.1 years
16.3 years
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
350,796 (85.1%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
140,809 (40.1%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
209,987 (59.9%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$3,809
Median monthly housing costs
$1,521
$2,337
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$1,670,841
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
Over $1,000,000
Median numbers of rooms
4.4
3.9
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
3.2
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
5.6
Median house price - detached houses
$595,996
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 2-unit structures
$393,984
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 3-to-4-unit structures
$262,826
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - in 5 or more unit structures
$576,111
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - mobile homes
$56,102
$517,939
Median house price - Townhouses or other attached units
$459,657
Over $1,000,000
Median house price - All housing units
$571,154
Over $1,000,000
Median house age
28
76
Renting percentage
54.9%
64.2%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
8,829.1
House value disparities
28.4%
18.7%
Household income disparities
44.8%
41.7%
Median household income for houses/condes with a mortgage
$141,177
$210,544
Median household income for apartments without a mortgage
$86,430
$99,969
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
1,778 (1.9%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
7,687 (8.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
91,236 (98.1%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
471 (0.5%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
9,395 (10.1%)
House/condo owner moved in on average (years ago)
9
14
House/condo renter moved in on average (years ago)
1
4
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
4.7%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
0.6%
2.7%
Housing units in structures
Housing units in structures
Austin
San Francisco
One, detached
43.1%
19.1%
One, attached
5.2%
12.1%
Two
2.4%
9.0%
3 or 4
4.1%
11.4%
5 to 9
7.2%
9.0%
10 to 19
11.0%
9.3%
20 to 49
8.9%
11.3%
50 or more
17.2%
18.7%
Mobile homes
1.0%
0.1%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
30,288
State government workers
46,229
22,691
Unpaid family workers
102
399
Industries and Occupations
San Francisco is dominated by the tech, finance, and healthcare sectors, while Austin’s fastest-growing industries are tech, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and entertainment.
Both San Francisco and Austin have excellent healthcare options. San Francisco ranks high in healthcare because of institutions like UCSF Medical Center. In Austin, the Seton healthcare network and St. David's HealthCare are highly regarded.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
San Francisco
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
San Francisco has an extensive range of public transportation options, unlike Austin which is more car-dependent. Both cities, however, are investing in infrastructure improvements, which includes improved public transportation and better roadways.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
San Francisco
Hospitals
65
16
TV stations
20
18
Arenas or stadiums
2
2
Bank branches located here
264
281
Bank institutions located here
43
52
Main business address for public companies
44
68
Drinking water stations with no reported violations in the past
46
5
Drinking water stations with reported violations in the past
HMDA - Conventional home purchase loans - Applications denied
Year
Austin
San Francisco
1999
4,733
1,402
2000
2,950
1,000
2001
2,038
733
2002
1,772
870
2003
2,213
1,576
2004
2,458
2,147
2005
3,121
2,344
2006
3,367
2,511
2007
2,560
2,117
2008
1,747
1,575
2009
1,067
952
Culture and Food
Both cities boast rich and diverse food scenes. San Francisco is known for its seafood, sourdough bread, and farm-to-table cuisine. Austin is renowned for its barbecue, Tex-Mex, and food trucks.
Sports Teams
Both cities have passionate sports fans. San Francisco is home to the Giants (MLB) and 49ers (NFL), while Austin doesn't have any major league teams, but does have the University of Texas Longhorns which command a big collegiate sports following.
Austin, TX
San Francisco, CA
