Median rent is 25% lower in Austin ($1,729/mo vs $2,313/mo). Buying is cheaper in Austin, where the median home runs $555,300 versus $906,700. Households earn more in San Diego ($108,077 vs $93,658 a year). Taken together, Austin is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 110.7 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Diego, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Austin is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.3 in Austin vs 110.7 in San Diego (US national average = 100)
City A
Austin, TX
City B
San Diego, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Diego, CA to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
Equivalent salary in San Diego, CA
$84,513
You'd need $9,513 more (13% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Austin
Texas
San Diego
California
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Austin — median rent of $1,729/mo versus $2,313/mo in San Diego, a 25% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in San Diego: the median home is $906,700 versus $555,300 in Austin — 39% more expensive.
Metric
Austin
San Diego
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Austin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Diego
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
San Diego has cleaner air on average: 59.0 AQI (Moderate) compared to 65.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Austin if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.3 vs 110.7).
Pick San Diego if you prioritize higher median household income ($108,077/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,729/mo median).
Pick San Diego if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 59.0).
Austin is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 110.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Austin.
Median rent is $1,729/mo in Austin, TX and $2,313/mo in San Diego, CA. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 25%.
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin, TX and $108,077 in San Diego, CA. San Diego, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
San Diego, CA has better air quality on average: 59.0 AQI versus 65.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Austin, TX is equivalent to roughly $112,684 in San Diego, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
