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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Sunnyvale

California
341

Austin is 61% cheaper than Sunnyvale.

$1,655/mo ↓ 46%
Median Rent
$3,065/mo ↑ 85%
$91,461/yr ↓ 50%
Median Income
$181,862/yr ↑ 99%
$512,700 ↓ 72%
Home Value
$1,816,600 ↑ 254%
$1,747/mo ↓ 42%
Owner Costs
$3,016/mo ↑ 73%
967,862
Population
153,455

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
20.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Sunnyvale, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 341 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,410/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $16,920/year.

Median household income is $90,401/year higher in Sunnyvale. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $1,816,600 in Sunnyvale.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Sunnyvale — common questions

Is Austin or Sunnyvale cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 341 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Sunnyvale?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Sunnyvale it's $3,065/month — a difference of $1,410/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Sunnyvale?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $181,862 in Sunnyvale. Median household income is $90,401/year higher in Sunnyvale.
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 Sunnyvale?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Sunnyvale has a cost index of 341 with rent of $3,065/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Sunnyvale details →

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