Performance
Score Breakdown
Yakima
Austin
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Yakima is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
24% lower compared to Austin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yakima's average rent is
37% lower than Austin's.
| Metric | Yakima | Austin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,127 | $1,800 | -37% |
| Groceries | $450 | $450 | 0% |
| Utilities | $274 | $180 | +52% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $153 | $250 | -39% |
| Monthly Total | $2,124 | $2,800 | -24% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 101 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Austin offers 47% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Austin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Yakima is estimated at
$49,428 vs $122,000 in Austin.
| Metric | Yakima | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,628 | $65,250 |
| Salary Needed | $49,428 | $122,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 33,949 idx | 64,604 idx |
| Household Income | $59,829 | $93,658 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Yakima | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Yakima has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 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 | Yakima | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 35.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 42.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Austin is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Yakima.
From a growth perspective, Austin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Austin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Yakima | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,769 | 1,011,743 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.91% |
| Median Age | 34.7 | |
| Unemployment | 5.30% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $13.3B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yakima
Advantages
Yakima enjoys approximately 300 sunny days per year, making it one of Washington's sunniest major cities.
The cost of living in Yakima is notably affordable, with housing costs significantly lower than the national average.
The region is a world-class wine country with over 120 wineries, offering unique recreational and cultural experiences.
Residents have access to excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, including the Yakima River and nearby mountains, lakes, and trails.
The average commute time in Yakima County is shorter than the Washington state average, at 17.3 minutes.
Drawbacks
Yakima's overall crime rate is 22% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 52% higher.
The nightlife and cultural scene can be limited, with many establishments closing early and less investment in arts compared to larger cities.
Public transit is not extensive, making car ownership almost essential for getting around the city effectively.
Some specialized medical care may require residents to travel to larger cities outside of Yakima.
Groceries and utilities are slightly more expensive than the national average.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Yakima
#21Washington, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,127
Avg Salary
$34,628
Cost Index
102
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
Austin
#21Texas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,250
Cost Index
101
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
85
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