Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Anaheim, CA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Anaheim

California
182

Austin is 26% cheaper than Anaheim.

$1,655/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$2,082/mo ↑ 26%
$91,461/yr ≈ Same
Median Income
$90,583/yr ≈ Same
$512,700 ↓ 34%
Home Value
$771,700 ↑ 51%
$1,747/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$2,165/mo ↑ 24%
967,862
Population
344,553

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
27.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Anaheim, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 182 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $427/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $5,124/year.

Median household income is $878/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $771,700 in Anaheim.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over California's 13.3% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Anaheim — common questions

Is Austin or Anaheim cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 182 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Anaheim?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Anaheim it's $2,082/month — a difference of $427/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Anaheim?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $90,583 in Anaheim. Median household income is $878/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and California?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Anaheim?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Anaheim has a cost index of 182 with rent of $2,082/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Anaheim details →

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