Austin TX vs Seattle 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Seattle
741,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Seattle
35.5
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Austin
59.9%
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Seattle
8.2%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 741,440 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 35.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 59.9% | 61.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 7.5% | 6.6% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 8.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $871,599 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 44.3% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Seattle
37.5 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 37.5 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 28.8 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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