Austin TX vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Austin +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Austin
7.5%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 119,508 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 40.2 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 59.9% | 44.0% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 2.5% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 24.6% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
West Palm Beach
$69,261
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
West Palm Beach
$44,508
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
West Palm Beach
14.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
West Palm Beach
37.6%
| Metric | Austin, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $69,261 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $44,508 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 5.4% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 14.8% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 37.6% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
West Palm Beach
$399,650
West Palm Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Austin, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $399,650 | West Palm Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Austin, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
West Palm Beach
13.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.7% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.9% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.0% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Austin +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 75.4°F | Austin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 62.3 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Austin, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Austin, TX | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while west Palm Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,650. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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