Is Austin, TX cheaper than Mountain View, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 35.2% cheaper than Mountain View, CA. This translates to saving $2640 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Mountain View, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Mountain View, CA, you'd need approximately $118,314.424 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Mountain View, CA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 51.5% cheaper than in Mountain View, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $3,177/month in Mountain View, CA.

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

Moving from Mountain View, CA to Austin, TX could save you approximately $2640 per month, or $31686 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Mountain View, CA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Mountain View, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Oakland, CA area

Current salary in Mountain View, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.6K/month moving to Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $118.3K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 35.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,640

Savings

Annual Impact

$31.7K

Per year

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

Mountain View, CA

Population:82K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$2.19M

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:65

Median Home:$558K

Mountain View, CA

The Golden State

82K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 82K 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: Mountain View, CA vs Austin, TX

Category	Mountain View, CA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,949/mo	$2,885/mo	↓ $3,064less	51.5%
🚗Transportation	$2,079/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $795less	38.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,138/mo	$959/mo	↓ $178less	15.7%
🏥Healthcare	$693/mo	$589/mo	↓ $105less	15.1%
⚡All Utilities	$440/mo	$541/mo	↑ $101more	23.0%
📦Other	$1,806/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $65.35less	3.6%

🏠Housing

↓ 51.5%

Mountain View, CA

$5,949

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$3,064

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 38.2%

Mountain View, CA

$2,079

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$795

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 15.7%

Mountain View, CA

$1,138

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$178

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.1%

Mountain View, CA

$693

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$105

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 23.0%

Mountain View, CA

$440

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$101

📦Other

↓ 3.6%

Mountain View, CA

$1,806

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$65.35

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,391

To$1,585

↓ $806

1 Bed

From$2,719

To$1,685

↓ $1,034

2 Bed

From$3,177

To$1,995

↓ $1,182

3 Bed

From$4,201

To$2,525

↓ $1,676

Mountain View, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,300–$3,640/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.

$12,105

Monthly in Mountain View, CA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$4,107

Difference

Home Values

Mountain View

Austin

$2.19M

Median Value

$558K

↑ +1.9%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +20%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$1.57M - $2.80M

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 74% less expensive than Mountain View

Calculate payment - Mountain View 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

Mountain View, 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

Mountain View, 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.