Austin, TX vs Fort Walton Beach, FL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Fort Walton Beach
72.1
#925 nationally
Austin leads in median household income ($91,461 vs $61,820). Fort Walton Beach leads in average commute (21.3 min vs 26.8 min). Fort Walton Beach leads in cost of living index (106 vs 129).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Fort Walton Beach, FL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 72.1 (#925) |
| Population | 967,862 | 20,925 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $325,397 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $61,820 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 21.3 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.4 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 106 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | R+42.5 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
C-
72.1 Score
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Small Florida city with local appeal
Median Home
$325,397
Population
20,925
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
38
Southeast
View Fort Walton Beach, FL →
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