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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Fresno

California
101

Austin is 33% more expensive than Fresno.

$1,655/mo ↑ 25%
Median Rent
$1,324/mo ↓ 20%
$91,461/yr ↑ 37%
Median Income
$66,804/yr ↓ 27%
$512,700 ↑ 47%
Home Value
$348,500 ↓ 32%
$1,747/mo ↑ 26%
Owner Costs
$1,391/mo ↓ 20%
967,862
Population
543,615

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
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Fresno, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 101 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $331/month cheaper in Fresno, saving renters about $3,972/year.

Median household income is $24,657/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $348,500 in Fresno.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Fresno — common questions

Is Austin or Fresno cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Fresno is cheaper to live in with an index of 101 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Fresno?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Fresno it's $1,324/month — a difference of $331/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Fresno?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $66,804 in Fresno. Median household income is $24,657/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 Fresno?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Fresno has a cost index of 101 with rent of $1,324/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Fresno details →

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