Austin TX vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
San Diego
50.4%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
San Diego
29.6%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 36.0 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 59.9% | 50.4% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 5.7% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 29.6% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
San Diego
$54,678
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
San Diego
49.9%
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $54,678 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.9% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 49.9% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
San Diego
47.6%
San Diego +
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $1,006,261 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 47.6% | San Diego + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Austin +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
San Diego
9.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.2% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
San Diego
61.6°F
San Diego +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
San Diego
12.3 in
San Diego +
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 61.6°F | San Diego + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 12.3 in | San Diego + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
San Diego
75.0%
San Diego +
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | San Diego + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
San Diego
25.9 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.9 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Austin is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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