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

San Diego

California
197
VS

Austin

Texas
134

San Diego is 63% more expensive than Austin.

$2,223/mo ↑ 34%
Median Rent
$1,655/mo ↓ 26%
$104,321/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$91,461/yr ↓ 12%
$848,500 ↑ 65%
Home Value
$512,700 ↓ 40%
$2,308/mo ↑ 32%
Owner Costs
$1,747/mo ↓ 24%
1,385,061
Population
967,862

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
0%
7.25%
Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

25.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 197 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $568/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $6,816/year.

Median household income is $12,860/year higher in San Diego. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Diego is $848,500 compared to $512,700 in Austin.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Diego vs Austin — common questions

Is San Diego or Austin cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Diego and Austin?
Median rent in San Diego is $2,223/month and in Austin it's $1,655/month — a difference of $568/month.
Which city has higher income, San Diego or Austin?
Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego and $91,461 in Austin. Median household income is $12,860/year higher in San Diego.
How do taxes compare between California and Texas?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to San Diego or Austin?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego has a cost index of 197 with median rent of $2,223/mo, while Austin has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,655/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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