Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Austin and Fresno have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Austin has a housing index of 123 while Fresno sits at 111 (national average = 100). The median home in Austin costs $430,000 compared to $330,000 in Fresno, a difference of $100,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Austin versus $1,300 in Fresno.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Austin scores 96 while Fresno scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Austin (97) are lower than Fresno (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Austin is $75,413 compared to $53,838 in Fresno. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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