San Diego vs Austin
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.
San Diego, CA
COL Index
160
Monthly Budget
$8,000
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.4M
Austin, TX
COL Index
112
Monthly Budget
$5,600
State Tax
None
Population
1.0M
San Diego is 43% more expensive than Austin
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Diego | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,135 | $1,947 | +$1,188 |
| Groceries | $962 | $712 | +$250 |
| Transport | $1,232 | $886 | +$346 |
| Healthcare | $568 | $434 | +$134 |
| Utilities | $480 | $336 | +$144 |
| Other | $1,776 | $1,315 | +$461 |
| Total | $8,000 | $5,600 | +$2,400 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Diego (CA) | Austin (TX) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $5,953 | $0 | +$5,953 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $26,773 | $20,820 | +$5,953 |
| Take-Home Pay | $73,227 | $79,180 | -$5,953 |
Salary Equivalent
What a San Diego salary is worth in Austin (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Diego Salary | Equivalent in Austin | Austin Salary | Equivalent in San Diego |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $35,000 | $50,000 | $71,429 |
| $75,000 | $52,500 | $75,000 | $107,143 |
| $100,000 | $70,000 | $100,000 | $142,857 |
| $150,000 | $105,000 | $150,000 | $214,286 |