Austin, TX vs San Diego, CA
Side-by-side comparison · Updated Jun 2026
Report card
| Category | AustinAustin, TX | San DiegoSan Diego, CA | Same grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReloScoreOverall grade | |||
| Affluence | Good | Good | |
| Cost of Living | |||
| Crime | High Risk | Elevated | |
| Education | |||
| Quality of Life | Good | Great | |
| Sovereignty | High Autonomy | Moderate | |
| Strategic | Vulnerable | High Risk |
Grades rate each place against all US places. How grades work →
Comparison summary
8.6% of income goes to state and local taxes in Austin, TX, while San Diego, CA carries a 13.5% burden, a 4.9-point gap that places Austin in the 10th percentile and San Diego in the 92nd. The 2023 Census figures also show Austin’s unemployment at 3.5% versus San Diego’s 4.3%, with San Diego 0.8 points higher. Property crime per 100,000 people runs 3,077 in Austin against 1,539 in San Diego, a 100% higher rate in Austin, which sits in the 92nd percentile compared to San Diego’s 59th.
Distance to coastline separates the two sharply: Austin is 155 mi inland while San Diego is 5 mi from the coast, a 150 mi difference. Similarly, the distance to an international border is 196 mi for Austin and 20 mi for San Diego, with Austin 9.8× higher. Traffic deaths per 100,000 people reach 22 in Austin versus 14 in San Diego, a 51% higher figure in Austin. Average household size is 2.1 in Austin and 2.6 in San Diego, making San Diego 19% larger, with percentiles of 13 and 63 respectively.
San Diego’s cost of living index of 235 exceeds Austin’s 158, a 49% gap, and median home values are $848,500 versus $512,700, with San Diego 65% higher. Median household income is $104,321 in San Diego against $91,461 in Austin, a 14% difference. Violent crime per 100,000 people is 372 in San Diego and 418 in Austin, with Austin 12% higher. Both cities carry an F grade for national disaster risk, and their air quality grades are A- and B+, respectively.
AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them. Generated Oct 2026.
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Where they differ most
Cost of living
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL indexCost of living index (100 = US) | 15881st pctl | 23594th pctl | Cost of living index (100 = US): Austin, TX 158; San Diego, CA 235; San Diego is 49% higher. |
| Home valueMedian home value | $512,70083rd pctl | $848,50094th pctl | Median home value: Austin, TX $512,700; San Diego, CA $848,500; San Diego is 65% higher. |
| Median rent | $1,65578th pctl | $2,22395th pctl | Median rent: Austin, TX $1,655; San Diego, CA $2,223; San Diego is 34% higher. |
| Household incomeMedian household income | $91,46171st pctl | $104,32180th pctl | Median household income: Austin, TX $91,461; San Diego, CA $104,321; San Diego is 14% higher. |
| Comfortable (single)Comfortable income (single) | $99,60985th pctl | $130,15493rd pctl | Comfortable income (single): Austin, TX $99,609; San Diego, CA $130,154; San Diego is 31% higher. |
| Comfortable (family)Comfortable income (family of 4) | $146,42585th pctl | $191,32693rd pctl | Comfortable income (family of 4): Austin, TX $146,425; San Diego, CA $191,326; San Diego is 31% higher. |
| AffordabilityHousing affordability | Stretched | Unaffordable | Housing affordability: Austin, TX C-; San Diego, CA D-; Austin is graded higher. |
Housing-adjusted salary
the same housing budget in San Diego needs about
$111,600
Based only on local housing costs and incomes (cost-of-living index 158 vs 235). Leaves out taxes, groceries and transport. How it works →
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
Jobs & income
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment | 3.5%43rd pctl | 4.3%78th pctl | Unemployment: Austin, TX 3.5%; San Diego, CA 4.3%; San Diego is 0.8 points higher. |
| Job growthJob growth (YoY) | -0.1%19th pctl | +0.7%38th pctl | Job growth (YoY): Austin, TX -0.1%; San Diego, CA +0.7%; San Diego is 0.8 points higher. |
| Per-capita income | $59,42787th pctl | $54,67883rd pctl | Per-capita income: Austin, TX $59,427; San Diego, CA $54,678; Austin is 9% higher. |
| Poverty rate | 12.3%54th pctl | 11.1%48th pctl | Poverty rate: Austin, TX 12.3%; San Diego, CA 11.1%; Austin is 1.2 points higher. |
| CommuteAverage commute | 24 min54th pctl | 23.9 min54th pctl | About the same |
| Work from home | 27.5%94th pctl | 19.2%81st pctl | Work from home: Austin, TX 27.5%; San Diego, CA 19.2%; Austin is 8.3 points higher. |
| OpportunityEconomic opportunity | Stable | Stable | About the same |
| Job market | Strong | Stable | About the same |
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
Safety
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crimeViolent crime per 100k | 41880th pctl | 37275th pctl | Violent crime per 100k: Austin, TX 418; San Diego, CA 372; Austin is 12% higher. |
| Property crimeProperty crime per 100k | 3,07792nd pctl | 1,53959th pctl | Property crime per 100k: Austin, TX 3,077; San Diego, CA 1,539; Austin is 100% higher. |
| 5-yr trendViolent crime, 5-yr trend | Falling | Falling | |
| Crime & safety | Dangerous | Fair | Crime & safety: Austin, TX D-; San Diego, CA D+; San Diego is graded higher. |
| Traffic safety | FairCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | SafeCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | Traffic safety: Austin, TX C+; San Diego, CA B+; San Diego is graded higher. |
Data: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
Quality of life
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality | GreatCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ModerateCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| HealthcareHealthcare access | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | ExcellentCounty figure. County-level figure: measured for the surrounding county. | About the same |
| Tap water | Fair | Poor | Tap water: Austin, TX C-; San Diego, CA F; Austin is graded higher. |
| Power grid | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ReliableState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | About the same |
| HomesteadingHomesteading potential | Prime | Prime | Homesteading potential: Austin, TX A+; San Diego, CA A-; Austin is graded higher. |
| Disaster riskNational disaster risk | High-Risk | High-Risk | About the same |
4 rows not shown (data not available)
4 rows not shown: climate comfort isn't available for Austin, TX; broadband, walkability and local food access aren't available for either place.
Data: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
Taxes & laws
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | FriendlyState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | PredatoryState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | Taxes: Austin, TX B+; San Diego, CA D-; Austin is graded higher. |
| HomeschoolHomeschool rules | noneState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | lowState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| FirearmsFirearm laws grade | AState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | FState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| Property rightsProperty rights (eminent domain) | B-State figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | DState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | |
| EnergyEnergy production | Net exporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. | ImporterState figure. State-level figure: the local figure isn't published. |
Data: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
Strategic location
How exposed each place is to large-scale disruption, based on distance from big cities, likely targets and natural hazards.
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large cityNearest large city | 2 mi2nd pctl | 8 mi8th pctl | Nearest large city: Austin, TX 2 mi; San Diego, CA 8 mi; San Diego is 3.6 times higher. |
| Target proximity | Poor | Weak | Target proximity: Austin, TX F; San Diego, CA C; San Diego is graded higher. |
| To borderDistance to international border | 196 mi22nd pctl | 20 mi2nd pctl | Distance to international border: Austin, TX 196 mi; San Diego, CA 20 mi; Austin is 9.8 times higher. |
| To coastDistance to coastline | 155 mi37th pctl | 5 mi6th pctl | Distance to coastline: Austin, TX 155 mi; San Diego, CA 5 mi; Austin is 150 mi higher. |
| StrategicStrategic location | Vulnerable | High Risk | About the same |
Data: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
People
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Diego, CA | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862100th pctl | 1,385,061100th pctl | Population: Austin, TX 967,862; San Diego, CA 1,385,061; San Diego is 43% larger. |
| DensityPopulation density (per sq mi) | 2,97877th pctl | 4,24888th pctl | Population density (per sq mi): Austin, TX 2,978; San Diego, CA 4,248; San Diego is 43% higher. |
| Median age | 34.522nd pctl | 3633rd pctl | Median age: Austin, TX 34.5; San Diego, CA 36; San Diego is 1.5 years older. |
| Bachelor's+Bachelor's degree or higher | 58.2%87th pctl | 49.9%79th pctl | Bachelor's degree or higher: Austin, TX 58.2%; San Diego, CA 49.9%; Austin is 8.3 points higher. |
| Household sizeAverage household size | 2.113th pctl | 2.663rd pctl | Average household size: Austin, TX 2.1; San Diego, CA 2.6; San Diego is 19% larger. |
More about Austin's residents · San Diego's residents
Data: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
Politics
Information only. Not part of any grade, difference or summary on this page.
Moving between Austin and San Diego
- Median rent: $1,655 in Austin, $2,223 in San Diego
- Median home value: $512,700 in Austin, $848,500 in San Diego
- Cost of living index (100 = US): 158 in Austin, 235 in San Diego
- Median household income: $91,461 in Austin, $104,321 in San Diego
- Comfortable income (family of 4): $146,425 in Austin, $191,326 in San Diego
- Unemployment: 3.5% in Austin, 4.3% in San Diego
- Average commute: 24 min in Austin, 23.9 min in San Diego
- Violent crime per 100k: 418 in Austin, 372 in San Diego
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- Data: Cost of living: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, ReloMaps cost-of-living index (2023–2024).
- Data: Jobs & income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year, BLS (2023).
- Data: Safety: FBI Crime Data, NHTSA FARS (2025).
- Data: Quality of life: EPA AirData, NOAA NCEI, County Health Rankings, FCC, Geoapify POIs, EPA SDWIS, EIA, OpenStreetMap, FEMA National Risk Index (2022–2024).
- Data: Taxes & laws: Tax Foundation, state statutes.
- Data: Strategic location: ReloMaps strategic assessment.
- Data: People: U.S. Census ACS 5-year (2023).
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area.
Narrative content on this page is AI-generated and may contain mistakes. Verify any details that matter before acting on them.
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