Side-by-side comparison

San Jose vs Austin

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 57% more expensive than Austin. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,706/mo in Austin.

Rent in San Jose vs Austin

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

Austin · Studio

$1,549

San Jose is $1,059 (68%) higher than Austin

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

Austin · 1 bedroom

$1,650

San Jose is $1,325 (80%) higher than Austin

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

Austin · 2 bedroom

$1,949

San Jose is $1,497 (77%) higher than Austin

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

Austin · 3 bedroom

$2,484

San Jose is $1,993 (80%) higher than Austin

Income & earnings in San Jose vs Austin

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

Austin · Household income

$97,169

San Jose is $62,505 (64%) higher than Austin

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

Austin · Individual earnings

$55,186

San Jose is $18,844 (34%) higher than Austin

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

Austin · Per capita

$59,289

San Jose is $17,729 (30%) higher than Austin

Home values in San Jose vs Austin

Average values and property tax.

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

Austin · Average home value

$487,600

San Jose is $895,200 (184%) higher than Austin

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

Austin · Annual property tax

$7,487

San Jose is $2,279 (30%) higher than Austin

Energy in San Jose vs Austin

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

Austin · Monthly electricity

$167

San Jose and Austin are about the same

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

Austin · Monthly gas

$32

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

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

Austin · Annual total

$2,388

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

Healthcare in San Jose vs Austin

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Austin · Individual premium

$480

San Jose and Austin are about the same

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Austin · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose and Austin are about the same

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Austin · Uninsured rate

12.2%

Austin is 8.2% (205%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in San Jose vs Austin

State income and sales tax.

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

Austin · State income tax

0.0%

San Jose is 13.3% higher than Austin

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

Austin · State sales tax

6.3%

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

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Austin · Combined sales tax

8.2%

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

Transportation in San Jose vs Austin

Commute time and travel modes.

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Austin · Average commute

25.4 min

San Jose is 1.6 min (6%) higher than Austin

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

Austin · Drive alone

59.7%

San Jose is 2.0% (3%) higher than Austin

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Austin · Public transit

1.7%

San Jose is 1.0% (59%) higher than Austin

Monthly cost estimates in San Jose vs Austin

All categories combined.

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

Austin · Single person

$3,706

San Jose is $2,117 (57%) higher than Austin

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

Austin · Couple

$5,280

San Jose is $3,912 (74%) higher than Austin

San Jose · Family

$12,430

Austin · Family

$7,957

San Jose is $4,473 (56%) higher than Austin

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Jose and Austin.

Is San Jose or Austin more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $5,823/mo in San Jose, California and $3,706/mo in Austin, Texas, a difference of about 57%.

What is the rent difference between San Jose and Austin?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Jose, California is $2,975/mo versus $1,650/mo in Austin, Texas. San Jose is approximately $1,325 (80%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Jose or Austin?

San Jose has the higher average household income. San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year; Austin households earn approximately $97,169 per year.

More on San Jose and Austin

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

San Jose 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.