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

San Jose

California
254
VS

Austin

Texas
134

San Jose is 120% more expensive than Austin.

$2,617/mo ↑ 58%
Median Rent
$1,655/mo ↓ 37%
$141,565/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$91,461/yr ↓ 35%
$1,187,800 ↑ 132%
Home Value
$512,700 ↓ 57%
$2,775/mo ↑ 59%
Owner Costs
$1,747/mo ↓ 37%
990,054
Population
967,862

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

22.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Jose, CA and Austin, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 254 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $962/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $11,544/year.

Median household income is $50,104/year higher in San Jose. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Jose is $1,187,800 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 Jose vs Austin — common questions

Is San Jose or Austin cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 254 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Jose and Austin?
Median rent in San Jose is $2,617/month and in Austin it's $1,655/month — a difference of $962/month.
Which city has higher income, San Jose or Austin?
Median household income is $141,565 in San Jose and $91,461 in Austin. Median household income is $50,104/year higher in San Jose.
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 Jose or Austin?
It depends on your priorities. San Jose has a cost index of 254 with median rent of $2,617/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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