Austin TX vs Renton WA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Renton
48.7%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 75,721 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.0 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 59.9% | 48.7% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 2.2% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 6.8% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Renton
$76,120
Renton +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Renton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $765,686 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Austin, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Renton
8.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 8.5% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Renton
53.2°F
Renton +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Renton
40.1 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 53.2°F | Renton + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 40.1 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Renton
75.0%
Renton +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Renton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Renton
25.4 min
Renton +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.4 min | Renton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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