Median rent is 28% lower in Austin ($1,655/mo vs $2,302/mo). Buying is cheaper in Austin, where the median home runs $512,700 versus $1,466,400. Households earn more in Santa Barbara ($101,672 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Santa Barbara, CA
How much would you need to earn in Santa Barbara, CA to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Austin
Texas
Santa Barbara
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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Austin — median rent of $1,655/mo versus $2,302/mo in Santa Barbara, a 28% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Santa Barbara: the median home is $1,466,400 versus $512,700 in Austin — 65% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 7.25% in California; Austin has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Santa Barbara
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Santa Barbara.
Pick Santa Barbara if you prioritize higher median household income ($101,672/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,655/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than Santa Barbara?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Santa Barbara?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $2,302/mo in Santa Barbara, CA. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 28%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Santa Barbara?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $101,672 in Santa Barbara, CA. Santa Barbara, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Santa Barbara?
Texas has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Santa Barbara to match my Austin income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology