Austin, TX, and North Coast, CA, offer diverse living experiences. Austin bustles with tech industry vibes, a vibrant music scene, and a typically Texan culture, while North Coast provides a serene, nature-enthusiast’s retreat with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Let's delve deeper into the comparison between these two areas, exploring aspects like crime/safety, weather, cost of living, and more.
Austin generally has a higher crime rate than the national average, but it's mainly property crime, while violent crimes are rarer. North Coast, being mainly a rural area, often has lower crime rates. For tourists taking a vacation or individuals looking to relocate, both areas require the typical safety precautions one would take in any city or rural area.
Cost of Living
Austin's overall cost of living is lower than the national average, making it more affordable for relocation. North Coast, despite its laid-back nature, has a higher cost of living due to its sought-after coastal location and proximity to the major cities in California.
Income Tax
Texas does not have a state income tax, so Austinites enjoy a financial advantage here. California, in contrast, has a relatively high state income tax, which affects residents on the North Coast.
Property Tax
Austin has a relatively high property tax rate compared to other Texas cities, while property taxes on the North Coast depend on the county and often reflect the higher property values.
Sales Tax
Sales tax in Austin is 8.25%, while in North Coast, California, it ranges between 7.25% and 10.25%, depending on the specific municipality.
Income
Type
Austin
North Coast
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$102,807
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$50,809
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
96.1
If you make $50,000 in North Coast, you will have to make $50,156 in Austin to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin, located in Central Texas, typically has a flat to gently rolling topography. North Coast boasts of scenic coastline, redwood forests, and mountainous terrain - a paradise for nature lovers.
Geographical information
Type
Austin
North Coast
Land area
251.5 sq. miles
59.4 sq. miles
Population density
3,833.4 people per sq. mile
6,335.5 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Austin, TX North Coast, CA
Education
Austin prides itself on its academic institutions, including the University of Texas at Austin. North Coast, while it does not have as many higher education institutions, boasts excellent public and private schools and close access to universities in larger Californian cities.
Austin is a growing tech hub, with many jobs in the tech and entertainment sectors and a low unemployment rate. North Coast's economy rotates primarily around agriculture, tourism, healthcare, and local businesses.
Biggest Employers
In Austin, Dell, IBM, the University of Texas, and Whole Foods are the largest employers. For North Coast, agriculture-based businesses and local hospitals and healthcare facilities employ the most people.
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In North Coast (Orange County), 45.8% voted for Democrats and 52.0% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
North Coast
Austin
North Coast
Austin
North Coast
2020
71.7%
53.6%
26.5%
44.6%
1.8%
1.8%
2016
65.8%
50.9%
27.2%
42.4%
7.0%
6.7%
2012
60.2%
45.8%
36.2%
52.0%
3.6%
2.3%
2008
63.8%
47.8%
34.4%
50.3%
1.8%
1.9%
2004
56.1%
39.3%
42.1%
60.2%
1.8%
0.5%
2000
41.7%
40.4%
47.0%
55.9%
11.3%
3.7%
1996
52.4%
37.9%
40.0%
51.7%
7.7%
10.5%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
North Coast
Austin
North Coast
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
26.5%
4.5%
4.4%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
2.3%
22.8%
8.8%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
0.4%
2.8%
1.4%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
0.8%
0.7%
1.3%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.4%
2.5%
2.3%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.6%
2.1%
2.0%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.2%
0.4%
1.0%
1.3%
REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.0%
0.3%
0.0%
0.2%
Weather
Austin's weather features hot summers and mild winters, with the city sometimes experiencing severe thunderstorms. On the other hand, the North Coast of California enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate, with cool, wet winters and dry, foggy summers. These contrasting weather patterns may appeal to different people's preferences.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
North Coast
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
64.4°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
70.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
26.7%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
78.7%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
52%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
13 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
0 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
26.5%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
78.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
21.9%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
84.9%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
62.9%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
6 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in North Coast, California
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
North Coast
Austin
North Coast
Austin
North Coast
Austin
North Coast
North Coast
North Coast
Austin
North Coast
Austin
North Coast
2018
76
119
N/A
0.35
4.9
14.4
26.7
26.1
N/A
N/A
27.5
N/A
8.7
12.6
0.2
0.7
2017
76
116
N/A
0.34
4.6
13.8
29.7
28.8
N/A
N/A
26.7
N/A
8.3
13.8
0.3
0.5
2016
71
102
N/A
0.33
4.2
12.2
29.5
29.3
N/A
N/A
24.1
N/A
8.2
12.5
0.2
0.2
2015
78
106
N/A
0.32
4.4
13.2
28.9
29.8
N/A
N/A
25.0
N/A
8.6
14.5
0.3
0.2
2014
74
110
N/A
0.29
5.2
12.9
28.3
28.6
N/A
N/A
26.7
N/A
8.7
15.5
0.5
0.4
2013
78
107
0.09
0.34
5.5
13.9
29.5
27.8
0.003
N/A
29.5
N/A
8.6
14.2
0.5
0.3
2012
86
103
0.13
0.30
5.5
12.7
30.1
26.8
0.004
N/A
28.2
N/A
8.6
14.3
N/A
0.1
2011
83
109
0.11
0.31
2.6
14.7
33.0
27.0
0.006
N/A
27.7
N/A
9.1
15.9
N/A
0.7
2010
77
102
0.05
0.33
3.2
14.3
29.4
26.2
0.011
N/A
23.6
N/A
8.8
14.0
N/A
0.6
2009
76
118
0.05
0.35
2.6
15.5
29.7
27.6
0.009
N/A
24.3
N/A
9.0
14.5
N/A
1.1
2008
81
124
0.12
0.39
3.2
16.5
30.7
28.2
0.010
N/A
29.5
N/A
9.7
21.6
N/A
1.1
2007
82
100
0.12
0.36
3.1
16.3
27.1
27.0
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.8
N/A
N/A
0.8
2006
89
114
0.14
0.40
3.8
17.2
31.3
26.4
0.007
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.0
N/A
0.2
1.3
2005
92
95
0.15
0.39
4.4
17.7
29.0
27.9
0.012
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.7
N/A
0.2
1.3
2004
74
119
0.16
0.50
3.3
19.2
26.8
30.5
0.014
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.6
2003
85
122
0.26
0.64
4.2
21.9
28.9
28.9
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
0.1
1.1
2002
83
106
0.33
0.65
3.9
22.0
27.2
25.5
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.8
2001
83
116
0.31
0.73
4.2
22.0
25.5
25.4
0.033
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.5
2000
86
125
0.28
0.80
4.7
24.4
27.8
24.0
0.027
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
1.9
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
North Coast
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
18.6%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
6,843.6%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
32%
Transportation
Austin has a mix of public transit options, including buses and a light rail, but many residents still prefer driving. The North Coast also offers public transports such as buses, but due to its rural nature, personal vehicles are often necessary for commuting.
Transport
Type
Austin
North Coast
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
North Coast
Bicycle
0.8%
0.7%
Bus
1.5%
1.2%
Carpooled
7.9%
10.7%
Car alone
85.9%
81.4%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.2%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
2%
1.4%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
North Coast
Average
29.9 min
28.8 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Austin is highly competitive due to the city's rapid growth, with prices rising faster than the national average. North Coast's real estate varies greatly, with prices depending largely on the proximity to the ocean and the desirability of the specific location.
Neighborhoods
Austin neighborhoods range from bustling urban areas to serene suburbs. North Coast communities are generally quieter and surrounded by nature, with many amazing beachfront locations.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
North Coast
Houses
469,156
137,450
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.7
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
133,254 (96.9%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
84,546 (63.4%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
48,708 (36.6%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$2,340
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$1,099,558
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$883,291
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
3.9
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
6.1
Renting percentage
54.9%
37.7%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
2,312.7
Household income disparities
44.8%
41.2%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
13,396 (19.5%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
282 (0.4%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
55,188 (80.5%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
6,297 (9.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
7,643 (11.1%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
15,532
State government workers
46,229
5,751
Unpaid family workers
102
744
Industries and Occupations
Austin's primary industries are tech, music, film, and education. In the North Coast, agriculture, particularly wine production, tourism, and healthcare, are the key sectors.
Austin has many highly ranked hospitals and a robust healthcare sector, supported by its growing population. The North Coast offers fewer healthcare facilities but is close to larger cities with considerable medical resources.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
North Coast
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Austin has well-developed infrastructure with a growing tech sector contributing to modern, smart city amenities. However, traffic congestion can be a problem during peak hours. North Coast's infrastructure is mostly centered around maintaining the natural aspects, with less urban development due to its rural and coastal nature.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
North Coast
TV stations
20
2
Culture and Food
Austin is known for its diverse food scene, live music, festivals like SXSW, and a vibrant nightlife. North Coast is famous for its wine, seafood, and more relaxed pace of life, with abundant outdoor activities and artistic communities.
Sports Teams
Austin has a passionate sports community, with local support for the Texas Longhorns, Austin FC, and minor league teams. North Coast does not have major sports teams but offers abundant outdoor recreational activities.
Austin, TX
North Coast, CA
Austin, TX and 
North Coast, CA : 1,207.6 miles
