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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Vallejo

California
155

Austin is 14% cheaper than Vallejo.

$1,655/mo ↓ 18%
Median Rent
$2,013/mo ↑ 22%
$91,461/yr ↑ 2%
Median Income
$89,496/yr ↓ 2%
$512,700 ↓ 8%
Home Value
$557,500 ↑ 9%
$1,747/mo ↓ 15%
Owner Costs
$2,058/mo ↑ 18%
967,862
Population
124,637

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
27.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Vallejo, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 155 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $358/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $4,296/year.

Median household income is $1,965/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $557,500 in Vallejo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Vallejo — common questions

Is Austin or Vallejo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 155 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Vallejo?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Vallejo it's $2,013/month — a difference of $358/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Vallejo?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $89,496 in Vallejo. Median household income is $1,965/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 Vallejo?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Vallejo has a cost index of 155 with rent of $2,013/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Vallejo details →

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