Is Austin, TX cheaper than East Palo Alto, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 37.3% cheaper than East Palo Alto, CA. This translates to saving $2794 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in East Palo Alto, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in East Palo Alto, CA, you'd need approximately $116,470.94 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between East Palo Alto, CA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 56.0% cheaper than in East Palo Alto, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $2,677/month in East Palo Alto, CA.

How much can I save per month by moving from East Palo Alto, CA to Austin, TX?

Moving from East Palo Alto, CA to Austin, TX could save you approximately $2794 per month, or $33529 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

East Palo Alto, CA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 East Palo Alto, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Fremont, CA area

Current salary in East Palo Alto, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.8K/month moving to Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $116.5K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area

Overall Cost

↓ 37.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,794

Savings

Annual Impact

$33.5K

Per year

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

East Palo Alto, CA

Population:28K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$2.06M

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:63

Median Home:$558K

East Palo Alto, CA

The Golden State

28K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 28K residents.

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

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: East Palo Alto, CA vs Austin, TX

Category	East Palo Alto, CA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,563/mo	$2,885/mo	↓ $3,678less	56.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,103/mo	$959/mo	↓ $144less	13.0%
🏥Healthcare	$690/mo	$589/mo	↓ $101less	14.7%
⚡All Utilities	$454/mo	$541/mo	↑ $87.21more	19.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,343/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $58.77less	4.4%
📦Other	$1,741/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $0.48less	0.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 56.0%

East Palo Alto, CA

$6,563

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$3,678

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 13.0%

East Palo Alto, CA

$1,103

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$144

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.7%

East Palo Alto, CA

$690

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$101

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 19.2%

East Palo Alto, CA

$454

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$87.21

🚗Transportation

↓ 4.4%

East Palo Alto, CA

$1,343

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$58.77

less

📦Other

↓ 0.0%

East Palo Alto, CA

$1,741

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$0.48

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,906

To$1,585

↓ $321

1 Bed

From$2,239

To$1,685

↓ $554

2 Bed

From$2,677

To$1,995

↓ $682

3 Bed

From$3,464

To$2,525

↓ $939

East Palo Alto, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,760–$2,760/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/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.

$11,894

Monthly in East Palo Alto, CA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$3,895

Difference

Home Values

East Palo Alto

Austin

$2.06M

Median Value

$558K

↓ -0.1%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +15.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$2.06M

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 73% less expensive than East Palo Alto

Calculate payment - East Palo Alto Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$886

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.1%

Rate difference

East Palo Alto, 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

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

Additional Tax Information

East Palo Alto, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 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.