Is Austin, TX cheaper than Union City, CA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 38.4% cheaper than Union City, CA. This translates to saving $2882 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Union City, CA, you'd need approximately $115,410.857 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Austin, TX is 56.9% cheaper than in Union City, CA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $2,670/month in Union City, CA.

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

Moving from Union City, CA to Austin, TX could save you approximately $2882 per month, or $34589 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Union 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 $115.4K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↓ 38.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,882

Savings

Annual Impact

$34.6K

Per year

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

Union City, CA

Population:65K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.22M

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:62

Median Home:$558K

Union City, CA

The Golden State

65K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in California, this city has a population of 65K 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: Union City, CA vs Austin, TX

Category	Union City, CA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$6,688/mo	$2,885/mo	↓ $3,804less	56.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,114/mo	$959/mo	↓ $154less	13.9%
🏥Healthcare	$697/mo	$589/mo	↓ $108less	15.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,368/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $84.46less	6.2%
⚡All Utilities	$458/mo	$541/mo	↑ $82.89more	18.1%
📦Other	$1,775/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $33.80less	1.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 56.9%

Union City, CA

$6,688

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$3,804

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 13.9%

Union City, CA

$1,114

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$154

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.5%

Union City, CA

$697

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$108

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 6.2%

Union City, CA

$1,368

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$84.46

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 18.1%

Union City, CA

$458

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$82.89

📦Other

↓ 1.9%

Union City, CA

$1,775

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$33.80

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,968

To$1,585

↓ $383

1 Bed

From$2,183

To$1,685

↓ $498

2 Bed

From$2,670

To$1,995

↓ $675

3 Bed

From$3,414

To$2,525

↓ $889

Union City, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,640–$2,640/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.

$12,100

Monthly in Union City, CA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$4,101

Difference

Home Values

Union City

Austin

$1.22M

Median Value

$558K

↓ -5.9%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +28.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$1.22M

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 54% less expensive than Union City

Calculate payment - Union 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

Union 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

Union 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.