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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Riverside

California
144

Austin is 7% cheaper than Riverside.

$1,655/mo ↓ 9%
Median Rent
$1,812/mo ↑ 9%
$91,461/yr ↑ 3%
Median Income
$88,575/yr ↓ 3%
$512,700 ↓ 5%
Home Value
$542,100 ↑ 6%
$1,747/mo ↓ 7%
Owner Costs
$1,880/mo ↑ 8%
967,862
Population
316,241

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 Riverside, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 144 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $157/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $1,884/year.

Median household income is $2,886/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $542,100 in Riverside.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Riverside — common questions

Is Austin or Riverside cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 144 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Riverside?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Riverside it's $1,812/month — a difference of $157/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Riverside?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $88,575 in Riverside. Median household income is $2,886/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 Riverside?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Riverside has a cost index of 144 with rent of $1,812/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Riverside details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Austin and Riverside

Austin vs. San Jose Austin vs. Jacksonville Austin vs. Dallas Austin vs. Fort Worth Austin vs. San Diego Austin vs. Columbus Riverside vs. Corpus Christi Riverside vs. Orlando Riverside vs. Stockton Riverside vs. Santa Ana Riverside vs. Lexington Riverside vs. Cincinnati