Austin TX vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Sacramento
524,802
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Sacramento
12.4%
Sacramento +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Sacramento
29.5%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 524,802 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.7 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 59.9% | 36.8% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 12.4% | Sacramento + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 29.5% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Sacramento
$83,753
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Sacramento
$42,300
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Sacramento
14.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Sacramento
36.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $83,753 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $42,300 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.2% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.4% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 36.4% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Sacramento
$480,548
Sacramento +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $480,548 | Sacramento + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 503 | Austin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2388 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Sacramento
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Sacramento
11.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.2% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 17.9% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.9% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Sacramento
61.0°F
Sacramento +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 61.0°F | Sacramento + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sacramento + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 27.0 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while sacramento offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $480,548. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sacramento. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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