Is Austin, TX cheaper than Foster City, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 33.8% cheaper than Foster City, CA. This translates to saving $2536 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Foster City, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Foster City, CA, you'd need approximately $119,566.708 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Foster City, CA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 50.5% cheaper than in Foster City, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $4,017/month in Foster City, CA.

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

Moving from Foster City, CA to Austin, TX could save you approximately $2536 per month, or $30433 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Foster City, CA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Foster City, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Oakland, CA area

Current salary in Foster City, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.5K/month moving to Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $119.6K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↓ 33.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,536

Savings

Annual Impact

$30.4K

Per year

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

Foster City, CA

Population:32K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.68M

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:66

Median Home:$558K

Foster City, CA

The Golden State

32K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 32K 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: Foster City, CA vs Austin, TX

Category	Foster City, CA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,824/mo	$2,885/mo	↓ $2,939less	50.5%
🚗Transportation	$2,036/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $752less	36.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,126/mo	$959/mo	↓ $166less	14.8%
⚡All Utilities	$435/mo	$541/mo	↑ $106more	24.3%
🏥Healthcare	$686/mo	$589/mo	↓ $97.36less	14.2%
📦Other	$1,768/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $27.38less	1.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 50.5%

Foster City, CA

$5,824

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$2,939

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 36.9%

Foster City, CA

$2,036

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$752

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 14.8%

Foster City, CA

$1,126

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$166

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 24.3%

Foster City, CA

$435

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$106

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.2%

Foster City, CA

$686

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$97.36

less

📦Other

↓ 1.5%

Foster City, CA

$1,768

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$27.38

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,766

To$1,585

↓ $1,181

1 Bed

From$3,319

To$1,685

↓ $1,634

2 Bed

From$4,017

To$1,995

↓ $2,022

3 Bed

From$5,131

To$2,525

↓ $2,606

Foster City, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $4,140–$4,140/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.

$11,874

Monthly in Foster City, CA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$3,876

Difference

Home Values

Foster City

Austin

$1.68M

Median Value

$558K

↓ -1.6%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +13.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$1.68M

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 67% less expensive than Foster City

Calculate payment - Foster City 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

Foster City, 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

Foster City, 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.