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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Costa Mesa

California
228

Austin is 41% cheaper than Costa Mesa.

$1,655/mo ↓ 31%
Median Rent
$2,395/mo ↑ 45%
$91,461/yr ↓ 17%
Median Income
$110,073/yr ↑ 20%
$512,700 ↓ 51%
Home Value
$1,054,700 ↑ 106%
$1,747/mo ↓ 29%
Owner Costs
$2,462/mo ↑ 41%
967,862
Population
110,538

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
26.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Costa Mesa, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 228 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $740/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $8,880/year.

Median household income is $18,612/year higher in Costa Mesa. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $1,054,700 in Costa Mesa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Costa Mesa — common questions

Is Austin or Costa Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 228 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Costa Mesa?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Costa Mesa it's $2,395/month — a difference of $740/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Costa Mesa?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $110,073 in Costa Mesa. Median household income is $18,612/year higher in Costa Mesa.
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 Costa Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Costa Mesa has a cost index of 228 with rent of $2,395/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Costa Mesa details →

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