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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Mesa

Arizona
107

Austin is 25% more expensive than Mesa.

$1,655/mo ↑ 12%
Median Rent
$1,478/mo ↓ 11%
$91,461/yr ↑ 16%
Median Income
$78,779/yr ↓ 14%
$512,700 ↑ 41%
Home Value
$364,300 ↓ 29%
$1,747/mo ↑ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,404/mo ↓ 20%
967,862
Population
507,478

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
2.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
5.6%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.62%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Mesa, AZ, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 107 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $177/month cheaper in Mesa, saving renters about $2,124/year.

Median household income is $12,682/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $364,300 in Mesa.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Arizona's 2.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Mesa — common questions

Is Austin or Mesa cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Mesa is cheaper to live in with an index of 107 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Mesa?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Mesa it's $1,478/month — a difference of $177/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Mesa?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $78,779 in Mesa. Median household income is $12,682/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Arizona?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Arizona has 2.5% income tax, 5.6% sales tax, and 0.62% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Mesa?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Mesa has a cost index of 107 with rent of $1,478/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Mesa details →

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