Side-by-side comparison

San Diego vs Austin

Cost of living comparison for San Diego, California and Austin, Texas.

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 22% more expensive than Austin. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,706/mo in Austin.

Rent in San Diego vs Austin

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

Austin · Studio

$1,549

San Diego is $596 (38%) higher than Austin

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

Austin · 1 bedroom

$1,650

San Diego is $678 (41%) higher than Austin

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

Austin · 2 bedroom

$1,949

San Diego is $932 (48%) higher than Austin

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

Austin · 3 bedroom

$2,484

San Diego is $1,368 (55%) higher than Austin

Income & earnings in San Diego vs Austin

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

Austin · Household income

$97,169

San Diego is $5,116 (5%) higher than Austin

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

Austin · Individual earnings

$55,186

Austin is $5,634 (11%) higher than San Diego

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

Austin · Per capita

$59,289

Austin is $9,398 (19%) higher than San Diego

Home values in San Diego vs Austin

Average values and property tax.

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

Austin · Average home value

$487,600

San Diego is $304,000 (62%) higher than Austin

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

Austin · Annual property tax

$7,487

Austin is $1,945 (35%) higher than San Diego

Energy in San Diego vs Austin

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

Austin · Monthly electricity

$167

San Diego and Austin are about the same

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

Austin · Monthly gas

$32

San Diego is $18 (56%) higher than Austin

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

Austin · Annual total

$2,388

San Diego is $216 (9%) higher than Austin

Healthcare in San Diego vs Austin

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Austin · Individual premium

$480

San Diego and Austin are about the same

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Austin · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego and Austin are about the same

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Austin · Uninsured rate

12.2%

Austin is 5.4% (79%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in San Diego vs Austin

State income and sales tax.

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

Austin · State income tax

0.0%

San Diego is 13.3% higher than Austin

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

Austin · State sales tax

6.3%

San Diego is 1.0% (16%) higher than Austin

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Austin · Combined sales tax

8.2%

San Diego is 0.7% (8%) higher than Austin

Transportation in San Diego vs Austin

Commute time and travel modes.

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Austin · Average commute

25.4 min

San Diego is 0.5 min (2%) higher than Austin

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

Austin · Drive alone

59.7%

San Diego is 7.9% (13%) higher than Austin

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Austin · Public transit

1.7%

San Diego is 0.5% (29%) higher than Austin

Monthly cost estimates in San Diego vs Austin

All categories combined.

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

Austin · Single person

$3,706

San Diego is $805 (22%) higher than Austin

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

Austin · Couple

$5,280

San Diego is $1,661 (31%) higher than Austin

San Diego · Family

$10,119

Austin · Family

$7,957

San Diego is $2,162 (27%) higher than Austin

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Diego and Austin.

Is San Diego or Austin more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $4,511/mo in San Diego, California and $3,706/mo in Austin, Texas, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between San Diego and Austin?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Diego, California is $2,328/mo versus $1,650/mo in Austin, Texas. San Diego is approximately $678 (41%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Diego or Austin?

San Diego has the higher average household income. San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year; Austin households earn approximately $97,169 per year.

More on San Diego and Austin

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

San Diego 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.