Santa Clarita to Austin is a popular remote-worker move - driven by Texas's no-income-tax climate and equity that buys more home. Here's the full, honest picture.
Texas's tax trade-off
Texas has no state individual income tax, a real draw for high earners and remote workers. But Texas property tax rates are relatively high, so the total tax picture depends on the home you buy - compare income, property, and sales taxes together, not just income tax.
The Prop 19 catch
California's Proposition 19 property-tax-base transfer applies only within California - it does not carry to Texas. The financial case is your sale proceeds plus Texas's cost of living and tax mix.
Your California sale
Federal law lets you exclude up to $250,000 of gain (single) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) on the sale of a main home if you meet the ownership and use tests (IRS Publication 523). Gains above the exclusion are taxable, so a long-held, highly-appreciated California home can still carry a sizable taxable gain - consult a CPA. The canonical Santa Clarita median home price is $850,000 (data.json).
How I help
I maximize your Santa Clarita sale and can refer you to a vetted Austin-area agent. See also: Santa Clarita real estate.