Is Austin, TX cheaper than Menlo Park, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 37.4% cheaper than Menlo Park, CA. This translates to saving $2806 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Menlo Park, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Menlo Park, CA, you'd need approximately $116,322.147 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Menlo Park, CA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 56.2% cheaper than in Menlo Park, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $2,765/month in Menlo Park, CA.

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

Moving from Menlo Park, CA to Austin, TX could save you approximately $2806 per month, or $33678 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Menlo Park, CA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Menlo Park, CA — COL adjusted from Fremont, CA area + state data

Current salary in Menlo Park, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $116.3K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↓ 37.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,806

Savings

Annual Impact

$33.7K

Per year

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

Menlo Park, CA

Population:32K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.44M

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:63

Median Home:$558K

Menlo Park, 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: Menlo Park, CA vs Austin, TX

Category	Menlo Park, CA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,580/mo	$2,885/mo	↓ $3,695less	56.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,105/mo	$959/mo	↓ $145less	13.2%
🏥Healthcare	$691/mo	$589/mo	↓ $102less	14.8%
⚡All Utilities	$454/mo	$541/mo	↑ $86.61more	19.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,346/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $62.32less	4.6%
📦Other	$1,746/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $5.08less	0.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 56.2%

Menlo Park, CA

$6,580

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$3,695

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 13.2%

Menlo Park, CA

$1,105

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$145

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.8%

Menlo Park, CA

$691

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$102

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 19.1%

Menlo Park, CA

$454

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$86.61

🚗Transportation

↓ 4.6%

Menlo Park, CA

$1,346

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$62.32

less

📦Other

↓ 0.3%

Menlo Park, CA

$1,746

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$5.08

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,871

To$1,585

↓ $286

1 Bed

From$2,196

To$1,685

↓ $511

2 Bed

From$2,765

To$1,995

↓ $770

3 Bed

From$3,986

To$2,525

↓ $1,461

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.

$11,922

Monthly in Menlo Park, CA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$3,924

Difference

Home Values

Menlo Park

Austin

Median Value

$558K

YoY Change

↓ -5%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

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

Menlo Park, 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

Menlo Park, 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.