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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Berkeley

California
251

Austin is 47% cheaper than Berkeley.

$1,655/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$2,127/mo ↑ 29%
$91,461/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$108,558/yr ↑ 19%
$512,700 ↓ 62%
Home Value
$1,351,100 ↑ 164%
$1,747/mo ↓ 25%
Owner Costs
$2,340/mo ↑ 34%
967,862
Population
120,223

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
23.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Berkeley, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 251 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $472/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $5,664/year.

Median household income is $17,097/year higher in Berkeley. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $1,351,100 in Berkeley.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Berkeley — common questions

Is Austin or Berkeley cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 251 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Berkeley?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Berkeley it's $2,127/month — a difference of $472/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Berkeley?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $108,558 in Berkeley. Median household income is $17,097/year higher in Berkeley.
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 Berkeley?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Berkeley has a cost index of 251 with rent of $2,127/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Berkeley details →

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