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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Ventura

California
183

Austin is 27% cheaper than Ventura.

$1,655/mo ↓ 21%
Median Rent
$2,101/mo ↑ 27%
$91,461/yr ↓ 9%
Median Income
$100,407/yr ↑ 10%
$512,700 ↓ 34%
Home Value
$778,700 ↑ 52%
$1,747/mo ↓ 18%
Owner Costs
$2,118/mo ↑ 21%
967,862
Population
109,900

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
25.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Ventura, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 183 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $446/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $5,352/year.

Median household income is $8,946/year higher in Ventura. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $778,700 in Ventura.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Ventura — common questions

Is Austin or Ventura cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 183 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Ventura?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Ventura it's $2,101/month — a difference of $446/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Ventura?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $100,407 in Ventura. Median household income is $8,946/year higher in Ventura.
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 Ventura?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Ventura has a cost index of 183 with rent of $2,101/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Ventura details →

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