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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

San Bernardino

California
109

Austin is 23% more expensive than San Bernardino.

$1,655/mo ↑ 15%
Median Rent
$1,433/mo ↓ 13%
$91,461/yr ↑ 43%
Median Income
$63,988/yr ↓ 30%
$512,700 ↑ 33%
Home Value
$384,900 ↓ 25%
$1,747/mo ↑ 18%
Owner Costs
$1,478/mo ↓ 15%
967,862
Population
221,774

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
26.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and San Bernardino, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 109 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $222/month cheaper in San Bernardino, saving renters about $2,664/year.

Median household income is $27,473/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $384,900 in San Bernardino.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs San Bernardino — common questions

Is Austin or San Bernardino cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, San Bernardino is cheaper to live in with an index of 109 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and San Bernardino?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in San Bernardino it's $1,433/month — a difference of $222/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or San Bernardino?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $63,988 in San Bernardino. Median household income is $27,473/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 San Bernardino?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while San Bernardino has a cost index of 109 with rent of $1,433/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View San Bernardino details →

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