Is San Jose, CA cheaper than Austin, TX?

Based on cost of living data, San Jose, CA is 95.1% more expensive than Austin, TX. This translates to spending an extra $7136 per month.

What salary do I need in San Jose, CA to live like I do in Austin, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Austin, TX, you'd need approximately $235,631.068 in San Jose, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Austin, TX and San Jose, CA?

Housing in San Jose, CA is 235.1% more expensive than in Austin, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,445/month in San Jose, CA compared to $1,995/month in Austin, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Austin, TX to San Jose, CA?

Living in San Jose, CA costs approximately $7136 more per month than Austin, TX, or $85631 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Austin, TX

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San Jose, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Austin, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $7.1K/month more in San Jose, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $235.6K in San Jose, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 95.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$7,136

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$85.6K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$558K

San Jose, CA

Population:1013K

Cost Index:195

Median Home:$1.35M

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

San Jose, CA

The Golden State

1.0M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 1.0M residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Austin, TX vs San Jose, CA

Category	Austin, TX	San Jose, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,885/mo	$9,667/mo	↑ $6,783more	235.1%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$1,129/mo	↑ $170more	17.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,407/mo	↑ $123more	9.6%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$706/mo	↑ $118more	20.0%
📦Other	$1,741/mo	$1,825/mo	↑ $83.70more	4.8%
⚡All Utilities	$541/mo	$464/mo	↓ $76.50less	14.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 235.1%

Austin, TX

$2,885

San Jose, CA

$9,667

Difference

$6,783

🛒Groceries

↑ 17.7%

Austin, TX

$959

San Jose, CA

$1,129

Difference

$170

🚗Transportation

↑ 9.6%

Austin, TX

$1,284

San Jose, CA

$1,407

Difference

$123

🏥Healthcare

↑ 20.0%

Austin, TX

$589

San Jose, CA

$706

Difference

$118

📦Other

↑ 4.8%

Austin, TX

$1,741

San Jose, CA

$1,825

Difference

$83.70

⚡All Utilities

↓ 14.1%

Austin, TX

$541

San Jose, CA

$464

Difference

$76.50

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,585

To$2,590

↑ $1,005

1 Bed

From$1,685

To$2,950

↑ $1,265

2 Bed

From$1,995

To$3,445

↑ $1,450

3 Bed

From$2,525

To$4,550

↑ $2,025

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

San Jose, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,190–$4,060/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$15,199

Monthly in San Jose, CA

$7,200

Difference

Home Values

Austin

San Jose

$558K

Median Value

$1.35M

↓ -5%

YoY Change

↓ -2.5%

↑ +12.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +35.5%

$272K - $1.26M

Price Range

$671K - $2.59M

Homes in San Jose are 142% more expensive than Austin

Calculate payment - Austin Calculate payment - San Jose

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $10.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$886

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

San Jose, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

San Jose, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.