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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Sacramento

California
132

Austin and Sacramento have a similar cost of living.

$1,655/mo ↓ 2%
Median Rent
$1,694/mo ↑ 2%
$91,461/yr ↑ 9%
Median Income
$83,753/yr ↓ 8%
$512,700 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$484,600 ↓ 5%
$1,747/mo ≈ Same
Owner Costs
$1,752/mo ≈ Same
967,862
Population
524,802

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
24.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Sacramento, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 132 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $7,708/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $484,600 in Sacramento.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Sacramento — common questions

Is Austin or Sacramento cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Sacramento is cheaper to live in with an index of 132 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Sacramento?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Sacramento it's $1,694/month — a difference of $39/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Sacramento?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $83,753 in Sacramento. Median household income is $7,708/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 Sacramento?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Sacramento has a cost index of 132 with rent of $1,694/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Sacramento details →

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