Side-by-side comparison

Sacramento vs Austin

Cost of living comparison for Sacramento, California and Austin, Texas.

Bottom line

Sacramento is approximately 6% more expensive than Austin. A single person needs about $3,910/mo in Sacramento versus $3,706/mo in Austin.

Rent in Sacramento vs Austin

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

Austin · Studio

$1,549

Sacramento is $130 (8%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

Austin · 1 bedroom

$1,650

Sacramento is $127 (8%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

Austin · 2 bedroom

$1,949

Sacramento is $257 (13%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

Austin · 3 bedroom

$2,484

Sacramento is $508 (20%) higher than Austin

Income & earnings in Sacramento vs Austin

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

Austin · Household income

$97,169

Austin is $8,445 (10%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

Austin · Individual earnings

$55,186

Austin is $7,972 (17%) higher than Sacramento

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

Austin · Per capita

$59,289

Austin is $17,300 (41%) higher than Sacramento

Home values in Sacramento vs Austin

Average values and property tax.

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

Austin · Average home value

$487,600

Sacramento is $11,300 (2%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

Austin · Annual property tax

$7,487

Austin is $3,719 (99%) higher than Sacramento

Energy in Sacramento vs Austin

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

Austin · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento and Austin are about the same

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

Austin · Monthly gas

$32

Sacramento is $18 (56%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

Austin · Annual total

$2,388

Sacramento is $216 (9%) higher than Austin

Healthcare in Sacramento vs Austin

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

Austin · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento and Austin are about the same

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

Austin · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento and Austin are about the same

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

Austin · Uninsured rate

12.2%

Austin is 7.1% (139%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Sacramento vs Austin

State income and sales tax.

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

Austin · State income tax

0.0%

Sacramento is 13.3% higher than Austin

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

Austin · State sales tax

6.3%

Sacramento is 1.0% (16%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Austin · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Sacramento is 0.7% (8%) higher than Austin

Transportation in Sacramento vs Austin

Commute time and travel modes.

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

Austin · Average commute

25.4 min

Sacramento is 2.3 min (9%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

Austin · Drive alone

59.7%

Sacramento is 7.9% (13%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

Austin · Public transit

1.7%

Austin is 0.2% (13%) higher than Sacramento

Monthly cost estimates in Sacramento vs Austin

All categories combined.

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

Austin · Single person

$3,706

Sacramento is $204 (6%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

Austin · Couple

$5,280

Sacramento is $659 (12%) higher than Austin

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

Austin · Family

$7,957

Sacramento is $975 (12%) higher than Austin

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Sacramento and Austin.

Is Sacramento or Austin more expensive?

Sacramento is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California and $3,706/mo in Austin, Texas, a difference of about 6%.

What is the rent difference between Sacramento and Austin?

Average one-bedroom rent in Sacramento, California is $1,777/mo versus $1,650/mo in Austin, Texas. Sacramento is approximately $127 (8%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Sacramento or Austin?

Austin has the higher average household income. Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year; Austin households earn approximately $97,169 per year.

More on Sacramento and Austin

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Sacramento profile Austin profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.