Comparing Austin, Texas, and West Contra Costa, California, presents two vastly different lifestyles shaped by distinctive cultural, economical, and geographical factors. Austin is a bustling city known for its vibrant tech industry, unique culture and lower cost of living, while West Contra Costa with its Californian charm, is more focused on manufacturing, has a higher cost of living and offers close proximity to the water. Let’s dive deeper into the individual aspects of these two areas and see how they stack up against each other.
Austin, TX, and West Contra Costa, CA, are both relatively safe places to live although variations do exist in specific neighborhoods. Austin is a big city and does have crime rates slightly higher than the national average but its overall rate is less than that of West Contra Costa. For tourists, it is always prudent to practice caution and vigilance, more especially when visiting certain neighborhoods and during late hours.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Austin is generally lower than West Contra Costa, most notably in aspects such as housing and groceries. In contrast, the cost of living in West Contra Costa, as with many Californian cities, is higher due to the state's overall desirability and higher housing costs. Both are busy cities with a high demand for amenities which does implicate some level of priciness.
Income Tax
One key difference between living in Austin and West Contra Costa is the taxation policy. Texas does not impose a state income tax, which can be favorable for high-income earners. In contrast, California imposes a high state income tax, which varies according to income levels.
Property Tax
Austin and West Contra Costa property tax rates partially reflect the cost of living in each area. Austin has higher property tax rates than the national average, but it's compensated by the absence of state income tax. West Contra Costa also has higher rates, but with the additional burden of state income tax.
Sales Tax
Texas has a statewide sales tax rate of 6.25%, and Austin has an additional local sales tax of 2%, for a total of 8.25%. In comparison, California has a state sales tax of 7.25%, with West Contra Costa's total amounting to 8.75% when accounting for local sales taxes.
Income
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$87,268
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$39,820
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
131
If you make $50,000 in Austin, you will have to make $67,946 in West Contra Costa to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin is marked by rolling hills, lakes, and limestone karst topography, while West Contra Costa features varied terrain including coastal hills, flatland, and harbor areas along San Francisco Bay. Austin's Lake Travis and Barton Springs are popular outdoor spots, while the Richmond Marina Bay in West Contra Costa offers sailing and fishing opportunities.
Geographical information
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
Land area
251.5 sq. miles
68.1 sq. miles
Population density
3,833.4 people per sq. mile
3,673.6 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Austin, TX West Contra Costa, CA
Education
Austin is home to several reputable educational institutions, including the renowned University of Texas at Austin. West Contra Costa, on the other hand, offers a good public school system, and is also a short drive from prestigious institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, and Stanford University. Both offer opportunities for higher learning close to home.
Austin boasts a diverse economy that is particularly strong in the tech industry, with many major tech companies having offices there. West Contra Costa's economy is more traditional, with manufacturing and retail trade constituting a large part of it. Unemployment rates in Austin are slightly lower than those in West Contra Costa, possibly due to the fast-growing tech industry in Austin.
Biggest Employers
Austin's biggest employers include Dell Technologies, IBM, and the University of Texas at Austin. In West Contra Costa, Chevron, West Contra Costa Unified School District, and the County of Contra Costa are the biggest employers. These differences reflect the unique industrial focuses of each area.
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In West Contra Costa (Contra Costa County), 66.2% voted for Democrats and 31.1% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
West Contra Costa
Austin
West Contra Costa
Austin
West Contra Costa
2020
71.7%
71.8%
26.5%
26.4%
1.8%
1.8%
2016
65.8%
67.5%
27.2%
24.5%
7.0%
8.0%
2012
60.2%
66.2%
36.2%
31.1%
3.6%
2.7%
2008
63.8%
68.0%
34.4%
30.2%
1.8%
1.8%
2004
56.1%
62.6%
42.1%
36.7%
1.8%
0.7%
2000
41.7%
59.0%
47.0%
37.2%
11.3%
3.8%
1996
52.4%
55.7%
40.0%
35.2%
7.7%
9.1%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
West Contra Costa
Austin
West Contra Costa
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
21.8%
4.5%
5.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
1.3%
22.8%
10.0%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
0.5%
2.8%
2.3%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
1.0%
0.7%
1.4%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.5%
2.5%
2.0%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.2%
2.1%
2.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.3%
1.0%
1.5%
Weather
Austin enjoys a humid subtropical climate with pleasant, yet hot, summers and mild winters, offering plenty of sunshine year-round. West Contra Costa, on the other hand, boasts a Mediterranean climate, with rainy winters and warm, dry summers. The proximity to San Francisco Bay creates a microclimate effect that helps to temper extreme temperatures in both summer and winter.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
58.3°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
84.1%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
29%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
90.8%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
61.7%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
28.6 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
27.1%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
73%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
22.1%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
77%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
55%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
11.4 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in West Contra Costa, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
West Contra Costa
Austin
West Contra Costa
Austin
West Contra Costa
Austin
West Contra Costa
West Contra Costa
Austin
West Contra Costa
Austin
West Contra Costa
2018
76
105
N/A
0.42
4.9
8.7
26.7
24.4
0.012
N/A
8.7
12.9
0.2
0.5
2017
76
104
N/A
0.37
4.6
9.2
29.7
23.1
0.008
N/A
8.3
10.7
0.3
0.7
2016
71
76
N/A
0.36
4.2
8.6
29.5
22.8
0.005
N/A
8.2
8.1
0.2
0.8
2015
78
91
N/A
0.45
4.4
9.5
28.9
23.6
0.004
N/A
8.6
9.1
0.3
0.8
2014
74
86
N/A
0.42
5.2
9.4
28.3
22.3
0.005
N/A
8.7
10.4
0.5
0.9
2013
78
87
0.09
0.33
5.5
10.6
29.5
22.1
0.004
N/A
8.6
11.8
0.5
0.5
2012
86
90
0.13
0.33
5.5
9.6
30.1
24.1
0.003
N/A
8.6
8.2
N/A
1.9
2011
83
94
0.11
0.34
2.6
10.3
33.0
22.7
0.003
N/A
9.1
10.0
N/A
3.1
2010
77
90
0.05
0.33
3.2
11.2
29.4
21.9
0.015
N/A
8.8
9.1
N/A
1.3
2009
76
99
0.05
0.27
2.6
12.2
29.7
19.9
0.006
N/A
9.0
10.4
N/A
0.9
2008
81
110
0.12
0.23
3.2
12.0
30.7
22.7
0.006
N/A
9.7
12.7
N/A
1.1
2007
82
99
0.12
0.38
3.1
12.0
27.1
22.1
0.006
N/A
9.8
10.6
N/A
1.2
2006
89
104
0.14
0.43
3.8
12.7
31.3
21.4
N/A
N/A
10.0
11.0
0.2
1.6
2005
92
94
0.15
0.37
4.4
12.0
29.0
20.4
N/A
N/A
10.7
10.3
0.2
1.7
2004
74
105
0.16
0.59
3.3
13.1
26.8
20.7
0.004
N/A
N/A
12.0
N/A
1.6
2003
85
79
0.26
0.50
4.2
13.5
28.9
22.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.1
1.5
2002
83
81
0.33
0.47
3.9
13.8
27.2
22.6
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.2
2001
83
83
0.31
0.41
4.2
13.9
25.5
21.5
0.008
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.3
2000
86
76
0.28
0.48
4.7
14.0
27.8
19.9
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2.0
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
8.4%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
7,617.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
18%
Transportation
Austin is a car-centric city, and it offers some public transit options including buses and commuter rail. West Contra Costa, in contrast, is well-served by various public transit options including Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains, buses, and ferries, making it easier for residents to commute to San Francisco and other areas.
Transport
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
3
FAA registered aircraft
911
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
Bicycle
0.8%
0.7%
Bus
1.5%
4.1%
Carpooled
7.9%
18.6%
Car alone
85.9%
63%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.2%
Railroad
0%
0.4%
Streetcar
0%
0.1%
Subway
0%
7%
Taxicab
0.1%
0.2%
Walked
2%
1.5%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
Average
29.9 min
35 min
Real Estate
The real estate market in both Austin and West Contra Costa is robust, with Austin experiencing significant growth due to its increasing popularity and influx of tech companies. However, homes in Austin are generally more affordable than those in West Contra Costa where home prices are considerably higher, reflecting the overall cost of living in California.
Neighborhoods
Austin neighborhoods are diverse, ranging from quirky South Austin to the upscale, leafy enclaves of West Austin. West Contra Costa consists of several smaller communities such as Richmond, Hercules, and El Cerrito, each with its own charm and characteristics. Both have a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial districts.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
Houses
469,156
86,004
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.8
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
83,291 (96.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
50,448 (60.6%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
32,843 (39.4%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$1,781
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$1,269,474
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$597,522
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
4.3
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
5.4
Renting percentage
54.9%
40.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
1,262.7
Household income disparities
44.8%
46.4%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
11,194 (24.8%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
155 (0.3%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
34,015 (75.2%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
3,361 (7.4%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
4,664 (10.3%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
0.8%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
8,123
State government workers
46,229
5,849
Unpaid family workers
102
314
Industries and Occupations
In Austin, the burgeoning tech industry offers employment opportunities in several occupations related to technology, engineering, and programming. In contrast, West Contra Costa's job market is more diversified, with occupations in healthcare, retail trade, education, and manufacturing.
In terms of healthcare, both Austin and West Contra Costa have high-quality health facilities. Austin is home to large health networks like St. David's and Baylor Scott & White. West Contra Costa is served by the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and other private clinics offering services across all specialties.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Both Austin and West Contra Costa have well-developed infrastructure. Austin's expansion in the tech field has lead to an increase in city planning and development, including new building projects, public transportation systems, and city services. West Contra Costa also has robust infrastructure but with a more reserved approach, it pays more attention to preserving its historical neighborhoods and environment.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
West Contra Costa
TV stations
20
22
Culture and Food
Austin teems with a rich culture and food scene, famous for live music, arts, and Tex-Mex and barbecue cuisine. West Contra Costa has a diverse culture with a blend of historical and contemporary influences. Its food scene is influenced by its proximity to the ocean with fresh seafood and a mix of global cuisine.
Sports Teams
Austin is home to the University of Texas Longhorns and the Austin FC, a Major League Soccer team. West Contra Costa residents usually support Bay Area teams such as the Golden State Warriors(NBA), SF Giants(MLB) and San Francisco Forty Niners(NFL).
Austin, TX
West Contra Costa, CA
