Is Austin, TX cheaper than Santa Cruz, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 45.3% cheaper than Santa Cruz, CA. This translates to saving $3399 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Santa Cruz, CA?

If you earn $150,000 in Santa Cruz, CA, you'd need approximately $109,217.553 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Santa Cruz, CA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 64.6% cheaper than in Santa Cruz, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $3,823/month in Santa Cruz, CA.

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

Moving from Santa Cruz, CA to Austin, TX could save you approximately $3399 per month, or $40782 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Santa Cruz, CA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Santa Cruz, CA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from San Jose, CA area

Current salary in Santa Cruz, CA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.4K/month moving to Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $109.2K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↓ 45.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,399

Savings

Annual Impact

$40.8K

Per year

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

Santa Cruz, CA

Population:62K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.24M

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:55

Median Home:$558K

Santa Cruz, CA

The Golden State

62K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 62K 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: Santa Cruz, CA vs Austin, TX

Category	Santa Cruz, CA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$8,153/mo	$2,885/mo	↓ $5,268less	64.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,093/mo	$959/mo	↓ $134less	12.2%
🏥Healthcare	$684/mo	$589/mo	↓ $95.13less	13.9%
⚡All Utilities	$450/mo	$541/mo	↑ $91.35more	20.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,318/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $34.37less	2.6%
📦Other	$1,710/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $31.16more	1.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 64.6%

Santa Cruz, CA

$8,153

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$5,268

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.2%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,093

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$134

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.9%

Santa Cruz, CA

$684

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$95.13

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 20.3%

Santa Cruz, CA

$450

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$91.35

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.6%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,318

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$34.37

less

📦Other

↑ 1.8%

Santa Cruz, CA

$1,710

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$31.16

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,883

To$1,585

↓ $1,298

1 Bed

From$2,995

To$1,685

↓ $1,310

2 Bed

From$3,823

To$1,995

↓ $1,828

3 Bed

From$4,875

To$2,525

↓ $2,350

Santa Cruz, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,900–$3,870/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.

$13,407

Monthly in Santa Cruz, CA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$5,409

Difference

Home Values

Santa Cruz

Austin

$1.24M

Median Value

$558K

↑ +0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +25.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$648K - $1.27M

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 55% less expensive than Santa Cruz

Calculate payment - Santa Cruz 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

Santa Cruz, 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

Santa Cruz, 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.