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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Fremont

California
278

Austin is 52% cheaper than Fremont.

$1,655/mo ↓ 43%
Median Rent
$2,905/mo ↑ 76%
$91,461/yr ↓ 48%
Median Income
$176,350/yr ↑ 93%
$512,700 ↓ 60%
Home Value
$1,289,400 ↑ 151%
$1,747/mo ↓ 42%
Owner Costs
$3,000/mo ↑ 72%
967,862
Population
228,518

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
19.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Fremont, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 278 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,250/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $15,000/year.

Median household income is $84,889/year higher in Fremont. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $1,289,400 in Fremont.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Fremont — common questions

Is Austin or Fremont cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 278 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Fremont?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Fremont it's $2,905/month — a difference of $1,250/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Fremont?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $176,350 in Fremont. Median household income is $84,889/year higher in Fremont.
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 Fremont?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Fremont has a cost index of 278 with rent of $2,905/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Fremont details →

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