Quick answer
Austin is 25% cheaper than Raleigh overall. A $100K salary in Raleigh is equivalent to $75,000 in Austin.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh 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 25% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+11% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$75,000
Raleigh vs Austin: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,480/mo
$1,650/mo
+11%
2BR median rent
$1,860/mo
$2,100/mo
+13%
Median home price
$420K
$548K
+30%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$380
+9%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$175
+21%
State income tax
4.5%
None
Austin saves
Walk score
34/100
41/100
Austin better
Transit score
25/100
34/100
Austin better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living as your current Raleigh salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$45,000
$80,000
$80,000
$60,000
$106,000
$100,000
$75,000
$133,000
$120,000
$90,000
$160,000
$150,000
$113,000
$200,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Raleigh vs Austin
Who Each City Is Best For
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
FAQs
Is Raleigh or Austin cheaper to live in?
Austin is 25% cheaper than Raleigh overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs Raleigh ($1,480/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs Raleigh $420K.
How much salary do I need in Austin to match $100K in Raleigh?
$75,000 in Austin is equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+11% difference) and state taxes (Raleigh: 4.5% vs Austin: None).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Austin?
1BR: Raleigh $1,480/mo vs Austin $1,650/mo (+11%). 2BR: Raleigh $1,860/mo vs Austin $2,100/mo (+13%).
Does Raleigh or Austin have lower taxes?
Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. Austin (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,500.