Is Austin cheaper than San Francisco? Yes.

Would I classify Austin as "affordable"?

I would have two years ago, when my wife and I were first looking to move here. That was the whole reason we began the process.

But, it's gotten insane.

We were going to wait a year, after renting, before we bought. Prices here were rising, we bought within six months so we wouldn't get priced out of our neighborhood.

On my street, I have neighbors who bought literally a year before me, who live in basically the same home (1970s subdivision so all the houses are basically templates) that paid 40% less than we did.

My neighbors could not afford to buy their current homes at the prices they're currently selling for. They cannot afford to buy similar homes in similar neighborhoods.

This is only going to get worse.

Look at prices in Portland, Seattle, Vancouver, or out east. They all easily top Austin.

I think it's a good thing. Austin has a budding tech scene. Hopefully the political shitstorm there blows over so people actually want to live there.

How is the sprawl in Austin compared to the Bay Area?

A lot of times land/housing is cheap/er, but you 'pay' for that will long/er commutes in bad traffic. And often with few/no options for public transit.