The numbers, side by side
| Metric | San Jose | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 182 | 121 | -61 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $2,800 | $1,700 | -$1,100 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $3,600 | $2,200 | -$1,400 |
| Median household income | $95,634 | $71,349 | -$24,285 |
| Population | 1,021,795 | 978,908 | -42,887 |
What salary you'd need in Austin
To maintain your San Jose purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Austin.
San Jose vs Austin: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, San Jose's cost-of-living index of 182 runs roughly 33.5% higher than Austin's 121. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in San Jose averages $2,800/month, vs $1,700/month in Austin — a -$1,100 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$1,400/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $13,200 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in San Jose is $95,634, while Austin runs $71,349 (-$24,285 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
San Jose is in California and Austin is in Texas, so you'll also pick up a state-tax difference. Tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, and Nevada deliver real take-home upside even when nominal salaries are similar.