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

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Visalia

California
104

Austin is 29% more expensive than Visalia.

$1,655/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$1,397/mo ↓ 16%
$91,461/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$79,952/yr ↓ 13%
$512,700 ↑ 51%
Home Value
$340,600 ↓ 34%
$1,747/mo ↑ 16%
Owner Costs
$1,509/mo ↓ 14%
967,862
Population
142,649

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
21.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Visalia, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 104 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $258/month cheaper in Visalia, saving renters about $3,096/year.

Median household income is $11,509/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $340,600 in Visalia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Visalia — common questions

Is Austin or Visalia cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Visalia is cheaper to live in with an index of 104 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Visalia?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Visalia it's $1,397/month — a difference of $258/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Visalia?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $79,952 in Visalia. Median household income is $11,509/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 Visalia?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Visalia has a cost index of 104 with rent of $1,397/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Visalia details →

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