San Francisco vs Houston: Cost Comparison
Thinking about moving or hiring services? Houston is approximately 60% less expensive than San Francisco across most service categories. Below is a detailed side-by-side comparison of 274+ services.
San Francisco, CA
1.55x
Cost Index
60% Difference
Houston is more affordable
Houston, TX
0.95x
Cost Index
🏠 Home Services
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof Replacement | $13,175 | $8,075 | +$5,100 |
| Roof Repair | $1,163 | $713 | +$450 |
| HVAC System Installation | $13,950 | $8,550 | +$5,400 |
| Plumbing Repair | $481 | $295 | +$186 |
| Water Heater Installation | $2,790 | $1,710 | +$1,080 |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | $3,875 | $2,375 | +$1,500 |
| Interior House Painting | $4,340 | $2,660 | +$1,680 |
| Exterior House Painting | $6,975 | $4,275 | +$2,700 |
🏥 Medical & Dental
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Implant | $5,425 | $3,325 | +$2,100 |
| Dental Crown | $2,015 | $1,235 | +$780 |
| Root Canal | $1,550 | $950 | +$600 |
| Braces & Orthodontics | $7,750 | $4,750 | +$3,000 |
| Teeth Whitening | $620 | $380 | +$240 |
| LASIK Eye Surgery | $3,875 | $2,375 | +$1,500 |
| Knee Replacement Surgery | $54,250 | $33,250 | +$21,000 |
| MRI Scan | $1,860 | $1,140 | +$720 |
⚖️ Legal Services
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce | $11,625 | $7,125 | +$4,500 |
| DUI Lawyer | $6,200 | $3,800 | +$2,400 |
| Criminal Defense Lawyer | $12,400 | $7,600 | +$4,800 |
| Will & Trust | $2,325 | $1,425 | +$900 |
| Bankruptcy Filing | $3,875 | $2,375 | +$1,500 |
| Family Lawyer | $465 | $285 | +$180 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | $3,875 | $2,375 | +$1,500 |
| Traffic Ticket Lawyer | $388 | $238 | +$150 |
🚗 Auto Repair
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission Repair/Rebuild | $4,650 | $2,850 | +$1,800 |
| Brake Pad & Rotor Replacement | $543 | $333 | +$210 |
| Tire Replacement | $271 | $166 | +$105 |
| Oil Change | $93 | $57 | +$36 |
| Car Paint Job | $3,100 | $1,900 | +$1,200 |
| Auto Body Repair | $3,100 | $1,900 | +$1,200 |
| Windshield Replacement | $543 | $333 | +$210 |
| Timing Belt Replacement | $930 | $570 | +$360 |
🔨 Home Improvement
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Remodel | $43,400 | $26,600 | +$16,800 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $18,600 | $11,400 | +$7,200 |
| Deck Building | $12,400 | $7,600 | +$4,800 |
| Concrete Patio | $4,650 | $2,850 | +$1,800 |
| Hardwood Floor Installation | $16 | $10 | +$6 |
| Professional Landscaping | $10,850 | $6,650 | +$4,200 |
| Basement Finishing | $46,500 | $28,500 | +$18,000 |
| Garage Door Replacement | $2,790 | $1,710 | +$1,080 |
🛡️ Insurance
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Insurance | $698 | $428 | +$270 |
| Auto Insurance | $279 | $171 | +$108 |
| Homeowners Insurance | $279 | $171 | +$108 |
| Life Insurance | $78 | $48 | +$30 |
| Renters Insurance | $28 | $17 | +$11 |
| Dental Insurance | $54 | $33 | +$21 |
| Umbrella Insurance | $39 | $24 | +$15 |
| Disability Insurance | $194 | $119 | +$75 |
🐾 Pet Services
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Grooming | $93 | $57 | +$36 |
| Veterinary Visit | $233 | $143 | +$90 |
| Pet Insurance | $78 | $48 | +$30 |
| Dog Boarding / Pet Sitting | $70 | $43 | +$27 |
| Dog Training | $116 | $71 | +$45 |
| Dog Dental Cleaning | $620 | $380 | +$240 |
| Cat Veterinary Care | $194 | $119 | +$75 |
| Cat Grooming | $101 | $62 | +$39 |
💒 Wedding Costs
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wedding Venue | $11,625 | $7,125 | +$4,500 |
| Wedding Photography | $4,340 | $2,660 | +$1,680 |
| Wedding Catering | $116 | $71 | +$45 |
| Wedding Flowers | $3,875 | $2,375 | +$1,500 |
| Wedding DJ | $1,860 | $1,140 | +$720 |
| Wedding Cake | $930 | $570 | +$360 |
| Wedding Dress | $2,790 | $1,710 | +$1,080 |
| Wedding Band / Live Music | $6,200 | $3,800 | +$2,400 |
📦 Moving & Relocation
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Move | $1,860 | $1,140 | +$720 |
| Long-Distance Move | $6,975 | $4,275 | +$2,700 |
| Storage Unit Rental | $194 | $119 | +$75 |
| Junk Removal | $465 | $285 | +$180 |
| Professional Packing Services | $1,085 | $665 | +$420 |
| International Move | $11,625 | $7,125 | +$4,500 |
| Moving Container (PODS) | $3,875 | $2,375 | +$1,500 |
| Storage Unit Rental | $202 | $124 | +$78 |
🎓 Education & Certification
| Service | San Francisco | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Tutoring | $78 | $48 | +$30 |
| SAT/ACT Test Prep | $1,550 | $950 | +$600 |
| College Tuition | $34,100 | $20,900 | +$13,200 |
| Driving School / Drivers Ed | $620 | $380 | +$240 |
| MBA Degree | $100,750 | $61,750 | +$39,000 |
| Real Estate License | $1,550 | $950 | +$600 |
| Gym Membership | $62 | $38 | +$24 |
| Personal Trainer | $109 | $67 | +$42 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Francisco more expensive than Houston?
San Francisco is generally more expensive, with a cost index of 1.55 compared to 0.95 (1.0 = national average).
How much cheaper is Houston?
Houston is approximately 60% less expensive than San Francisco for most services.
What services cost the most in San Francisco vs Houston?
The biggest cost differences are in home services like kitchen remodels, roof replacements, and HVAC installation, where the price gap can be thousands of dollars between cities.
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