Is Austin, TX cheaper than Redwood City, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 38.7% cheaper than Redwood City, CA. This translates to saving $2904 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Redwood City, CA, you'd need approximately $115,147.796 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Austin, TX is 57.1% cheaper than in Redwood City, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $3,157/month in Redwood City, CA.

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

Moving from Redwood City, CA to Austin, TX could save you approximately $2904 per month, or $34852 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Redwood City, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Fremont, CA area

Current salary in Redwood City, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.9K/month moving to Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $115.1K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↓ 38.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,904

Savings

Annual Impact

$34.9K

Per year

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

Redwood City, CA

Population:81K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.78M

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:61

Median Home:$558K

Redwood City, CA

The Golden State

81K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 81K 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: Redwood City, CA vs Austin, TX

Category	Redwood City, CA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,720/mo	$2,885/mo	↓ $3,835less	57.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,116/mo	$959/mo	↓ $157less	14.1%
🏥Healthcare	$698/mo	$589/mo	↓ $110less	15.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,375/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $90.99less	6.6%
⚡All Utilities	$459/mo	$541/mo	↑ $81.80more	17.8%
📦Other	$1,783/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $42.26less	2.4%

🏠Housing

↓ 57.1%

Redwood City, CA

$6,720

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$3,835

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 14.1%

Redwood City, CA

$1,116

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$157

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.7%

Redwood City, CA

$698

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$110

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 6.6%

Redwood City, CA

$1,375

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$90.99

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 17.8%

Redwood City, CA

$459

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$81.80

📦Other

↓ 2.4%

Redwood City, CA

$1,783

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$42.26

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,176

To$1,585

↓ $591

1 Bed

From$2,608

To$1,685

↓ $923

2 Bed

From$3,157

To$1,995

↓ $1,162

3 Bed

From$4,029

To$2,525

↓ $1,504

Redwood City, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $3,060–$3,620/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.

$12,152

Monthly in Redwood City, CA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$4,154

Difference

Home Values

Redwood City

Austin

$1.78M

Median Value

$558K

↓ -0.9%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +14.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$1.25M - $1.86M

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 69% less expensive than Redwood City

Calculate payment - Redwood 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

Redwood 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

Redwood 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.