Cost of Living in Austin, TX
Austin's cost of living index is 112 — making it 10.7% more expensive than the US national average. To maintain your current standard of living here, you would need to earn $112,000 for every $100,000 of national-average income.
The Austin Tax & Cost Impact
Since Texas has no state income tax, moving to Austin provides an immediate "automatic raise" of roughly 5-10% for most W-2 employees compared to high-tax states.
Decision Matrix
- ✓Housing: Housing is a value-play compared to national tiers.
- ✓Savings Rate: To save $2,000/mo here, you need a gross household income of ~$94,080.
COL Index
112
100 = national avg
Monthly Budget
$5,600
vs $5,000 national
Population
1.0M
Metro area
State Tax
None
Texas
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs in Austin vs national average for a typical household.
| Category | National Avg | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,650 | $1,947 | +$297 |
| Groceries | $650 | $712 | +$62 |
| Transportation | $800 | $886 | +$86 |
| Healthcare | $400 | $434 | +$34 |
| Utilities | $300 | $336 | +$36 |
| Other | $1,200 | $1,315 | +$115 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,600 | +$600 |
Salary Equivalent
To maintain the same standard of living in Austin, a national-average salary translates to:
$50,000 nationally
$56,000
$75,000 nationally
$84,000
$100,000 nationally
$112,000
$150,000 nationally
$168,000
What Your Salary Gets You in Austin
Here's how different salary levels translate to monthly purchasing power in Austin, TX, where the cost of living is 12% above the national average.
Cities With Similar Cost of Living
FAQ: Cost of Living in Austin
Is Austin expensive to live in?
Austin's cost of living index is 112, which is significantly above the national average of 100. Housing is typically the biggest factor, with estimated monthly rent around $1,848.
What salary do I need to live comfortably in Austin?
To maintain a middle-class lifestyle in Austin, you'd need approximately $84,000 per year, which is equivalent to a $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living.
How does Austin compare to other cities?
Austin is comparable in cost to Atlanta, Baltimore, Minneapolis. More affordable alternatives include Fort Worth, Charlotte, Arlington.