Austin TX vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Vancouver
192,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Vancouver
13.6%
White
Austin
59.9%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
Austin
7.5%
Austin +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Vancouver
5.3%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Vancouver
17.2%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 192,696 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 37.5 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.6% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 7.5% | 3.1% | Austin + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 5.3% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 17.2% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $78,156 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $42,839 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.6% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 31.5% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Austin +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Austin, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 3409 | Austin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Vancouver
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 36.2% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 9.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.1% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.7% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 41.6 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Vancouver +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Vancouver + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Austin, TX vs New York, NYAustin, TX vs Los Angeles, CAAustin, TX vs Chicago, ILAustin, TX vs Houston, TXAustin, TX vs Phoenix, AZAustin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA