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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Irvine

California
256

Austin is 48% cheaper than Irvine.

$1,655/mo ↓ 43%
Median Rent
$2,893/mo ↑ 75%
$91,461/yr ↓ 29%
Median Income
$129,647/yr ↑ 42%
$512,700 ↓ 54%
Home Value
$1,115,400 ↑ 118%
$1,747/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$2,904/mo ↑ 66%
967,862
Population
308,160

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
26.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Irvine, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 256 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,238/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $14,856/year.

Median household income is $38,186/year higher in Irvine. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $1,115,400 in Irvine.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Irvine — common questions

Is Austin or Irvine cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 256 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Irvine?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Irvine it's $2,893/month — a difference of $1,238/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Irvine?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $129,647 in Irvine. Median household income is $38,186/year higher in Irvine.
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 Irvine?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Irvine has a cost index of 256 with rent of $2,893/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Irvine details →

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