City Comparison
Austin vs Folsom
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
California, USA
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Austin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Austin
Folsom
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Austin | Folsom | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $0 | 0% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $0 | 0% |
| Cost Index | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Austin offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Austin | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,250 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $122,000 | $0 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Austin | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Folsom has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
14,000 minutes (233 hours) per year compared to Austin.
Austin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Austin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Austin | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | — |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | — |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Austin is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Austin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Folsom has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Austin | Folsom |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,011,743 | 0 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | — |
| Median Age | 34.7 | |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | % |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Austin
Advantages
Austin boasts a robust job market with a 2.1% job growth rate in 2024, outperforming many other major U.S. metros.
The city has a thriving startup ecosystem, ranking #1 for startup growth and business density, with over 7,000 new businesses in 2024.
Austin offers a high quality of life, ranking 15th globally in 2024, supported by its vibrant culture and numerous outdoor activities.
Crime rates in Austin saw significant decreases in the first quarter of 2024, contributing to an improved safety profile.
Several Austin healthcare facilities, including St. David's HealthCare, were recognized among the nation's 100 Top Hospitals in 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Austin is higher than the national average, primarily driven by elevated housing costs for both renters and buyers.
Austin experiences significant traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in transit, indicating high car dependency.
Despite overall high healthcare quality, some Austin-area hospitals received 'C' ratings for safety and quality standards in May 2024.
The median sale price of a home in Austin was $542,000 in May 2026, making homeownership challenging for many.
While public transit exists, Austin's city-wide Walk Score of 42 and Transit Score of 35 indicate that most errands require a car.
Folsom
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Austin
#602Texas, USA
39.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,250
Cost Index
101
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
85
Folsom
California, USA
0.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
%
Livability
0
Business
0
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