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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Santa Clara

California
307

Austin is 56% cheaper than Santa Clara.

$1,655/mo ↓ 45%
Median Rent
$2,985/mo ↑ 80%
$91,461/yr ↓ 47%
Median Income
$173,670/yr ↑ 90%
$512,700 ↓ 66%
Home Value
$1,527,900 ↑ 198%
$1,747/mo ↓ 43%
Owner Costs
$3,051/mo ↑ 75%
967,862
Population
129,239

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
20.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Santa Clara, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 307 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,330/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $15,960/year.

Median household income is $82,209/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $1,527,900 in Santa Clara.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Santa Clara — common questions

Is Austin or Santa Clara cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Santa Clara?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Santa Clara it's $2,985/month — a difference of $1,330/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Santa Clara?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $173,670 in Santa Clara. Median household income is $82,209/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with rent of $2,985/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Santa Clara details →

More Comparisons

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