Quick answer
Austin is 22% cheaper than Seattle overall. A $100K salary in Seattle is equivalent to $78,000 in Austin.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Seattle 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 22% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-21% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$78,000
Seattle vs Austin: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,650/mo
-21%
2BR median rent
$2,750/mo
$2,100/mo
-24%
Median home price
$780K
$548K
-30%
Avg monthly groceries
$430
$380
-12%
Avg monthly utilities
$130
$175
+35%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
74/100
41/100
Seattle better
Transit score
59/100
34/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living as your current Seattle salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$47,000
$77,000
$80,000
$62,000
$103,000
$100,000
$78,000
$129,000
$120,000
$93,000
$154,000
$150,000
$117,000
$193,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Seattle vs Austin
Who Each City Is Best For
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
FAQs
Is Seattle or Austin cheaper to live in?
Austin is 22% cheaper than Seattle overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs Seattle ($2,100/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs Seattle $780K.
How much salary do I need in Austin to match $100K in Seattle?
$78,000 in Austin is equivalent to $100,000 in Seattle based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-21% difference) and state taxes (Seattle: None vs Austin: None).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Austin?
1BR: Seattle $2,100/mo vs Austin $1,650/mo (-21%). 2BR: Seattle $2,750/mo vs Austin $2,100/mo (-24%).
Does Seattle or Austin have lower taxes?
Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. Austin (TX) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.