Quick answer
Austin is 65% cheaper than New York overall. A $100K salary in New York is equivalent to $35,000 in Austin.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
New York vs Austin Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Austin is 65% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-48% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$35,000
New York vs Austin: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$3,200/mo
$1,650/mo
-48%
2BR median rent
$4,500/mo
$2,100/mo
-53%
Median home price
$750K
$548K
-27%
Avg monthly groceries
$480
$380
-21%
Avg monthly utilities
$165
$175
+6%
State income tax
Up to 10.9%
None
Austin saves
Walk score
88/100
41/100
New York better
Transit score
89/100
34/100
New York better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living as your current New York salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$21,000
$172,000
$80,000
$28,000
$229,000
$100,000
$35,000
$286,000
$120,000
$42,000
$343,000
$150,000
$52,000
$429,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: New York vs Austin
Who Each City Is Best For
New York is best for
- ✓finance professionals
- ✓media & entertainment workers
- ✓ambitious 20-somethings
- ✓culture seekers
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
FAQs
Is New York or Austin cheaper to live in?
Austin is 65% cheaper than New York overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs New York ($3,200/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs New York $750K.
How much salary do I need in Austin to match $100K in New York?
$35,000 in Austin is equivalent to $100,000 in New York based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-48% difference) and state taxes (New York: Up to 10.9% vs Austin: None).
What is the rent difference between New York and Austin?
1BR: New York $3,200/mo vs Austin $1,650/mo (-48%). 2BR: New York $4,500/mo vs Austin $2,100/mo (-53%).
Does New York or Austin have lower taxes?
New York (NY) has Up to 10.9% state income tax. Austin (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$10,900.