Austin TX vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Washington
672,079
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Washington
13.3%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 672,079 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.9 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 13.3% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 39.1% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 4.1% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 11.6% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 6.5% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.5% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $580,173 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 41.1% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Washington
1999
Washington +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Washington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Austin +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 24.0% | Austin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.7% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Washington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Washington
75.0%
Washington +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Washington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Washington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 32.8 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Washington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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