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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Fullerton

California
195

Austin is 31% cheaper than Fullerton.

$1,655/mo ↓ 22%
Median Rent
$2,124/mo ↑ 28%
$91,461/yr ↓ 12%
Median Income
$104,219/yr ↑ 14%
$512,700 ↓ 40%
Home Value
$859,600 ↑ 68%
$1,747/mo ↓ 22%
Owner Costs
$2,251/mo ↑ 29%
967,862
Population
141,278

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
24.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Fullerton, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 195 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $469/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $5,628/year.

Median household income is $12,758/year higher in Fullerton. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $859,600 in Fullerton.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Fullerton — common questions

Is Austin or Fullerton cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 195 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Fullerton?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Fullerton it's $2,124/month — a difference of $469/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Fullerton?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $104,219 in Fullerton. Median household income is $12,758/year higher in Fullerton.
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 Fullerton?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Fullerton has a cost index of 195 with rent of $2,124/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Fullerton details →

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