Moving from Texas to California anxiety?

Your fears are well founded. If you have a good thing going in TX, then WHY move to CA? Makes no sense. Yes, the Bay Area is MUCH more expensive than TX. $200K doesn't buy much real estate here. And everything else costs more, too (taxes, insurance, prices, etc.). If you will only receive about the same salary, you will (in real terms) be taking a significant pay CUT.