Cost of Living in Austin, TX
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Austin, TX to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is Austin, TX?
With a price level of 98.1 (U.S. average = 100), Austin, TX is close to the national average. In detail, housing costs run 20% above average; everyday goods are 6% below average; utilities are 18% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining are 4% below average. The biggest difference from the national average is in housing.
Prices in Austin, TX vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 98.1 | −1.9% |
| Housing | 120.4 | +20.4% |
| Goods | 93.8 | −6.2% |
| Utilities | 82.0 | −18.0% |
| Other services | 96.2 | −3.8% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Austin, TX
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,474 | $58,960/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $1,562 | $62,480/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,852 | $74,080/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,347 | $93,880/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,760 | $110,400/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in Austin, TX
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in Austin, TX | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $39,200 | $33,677 |
| $60,000 | $58,800 | $49,426 |
| $80,000 | $78,500 | $64,055 |
| $100,000 | $98,100 | $77,843 |
| $150,000 | $147,100 | $111,809 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Texas 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning Austin, TX's median wage of $56,950 takes home about $3,995 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,562, which is 39% of take-home pay — above the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,433 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in Austin, TX
- Federal income tax$4,654
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,531
- Medicare (1.45%)$826
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$47,939
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Highest-paying jobs in Austin, TX
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $176,990 | $132,239 | $134,847 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $176,540 | $131,931 | $134,533 |
| Financial Manager | $167,180 | $125,534 | $128,009 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $165,530 | $124,406 | $126,859 |
| Marketing Manager | $164,920 | $123,989 | $126,434 |
| Lawyer | $153,330 | $116,067 | $118,356 |
| Sales Manager | $151,760 | $114,994 | $117,262 |
| Electrical Engineer | $145,360 | $110,620 | $112,801 |
| Human Resources Manager | $140,670 | $107,414 | $109,532 |
| Software Developer | $134,120 | $102,937 | $104,967 |
| Information Security Analyst | $134,100 | $102,923 | $104,953 |
| Managers, All Other | $134,030 | $102,876 | $104,904 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $129,470 | $99,759 | $101,726 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,050 | $98,788 | $100,736 |
| Data Scientist | $127,360 | $98,317 | $100,256 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $126,110 | $97,462 | $99,384 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $125,190 | $96,833 | $98,743 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $125,000 | $96,704 | $98,611 |
| General and Operations Manager | $117,850 | $91,737 | $93,547 |
| Management Analyst | $106,600 | $83,823 | $85,476 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Texas cities
Half of Texas’s 14,071,160 workers earn less than $48,620 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $35,370–$77,840 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: Austin, TX stretches a paycheck furthest, while McAllen, TX is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX | $51,440 | 103.1 | $1,586 | 44% | $2,040 | $42,208 |
| Houston, TX | $49,410 | 98.6 | $1,316 | 38% | $2,174 | $42,463 |
| Austin, TX | $56,950 | 98.1 | $1,562 | 39% | $2,433 | $48,885 |
| San Antonio, TX | $47,010 | 94.7 | $1,171 | 35% | $2,158 | $42,181 |
| El Paso, TX | $39,510 | 89.9 | $1,012 | 36% | $1,815 | $37,733 |
| McAllen, TX | $35,830 | 85.9 | $847 | 33% | $1,734 | $36,055 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $45,350 | 92.7 | $1,115 | 35% | $2,103 | $41,673 |
| Lubbock, TX | $42,130 | 91.3 | $974 | 32% | $2,029 | $39,458 |
| Beaumont, TX | $48,630 | 90.0 | $898 | 26% | $2,540 | $45,815 |
| Brownsville, TX | $36,490 | 86.0 | $866 | 33% | $1,759 | $36,638 |
| Killeen, TX | $46,660 | 91.1 | $982 | 30% | $2,324 | $43,532 |
| College Station, TX | $44,470 | 91.0 | $1,082 | 34% | $2,077 | $41,684 |
| Waco, TX | $46,020 | 92.5 | $966 | 30% | $2,297 | $42,309 |
| Amarillo, TX | $44,580 | 91.8 | $903 | 29% | $2,264 | $41,385 |
| Midland, TX | $54,480 | 95.8 | $1,449 | 38% | $2,381 | $47,978 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
Austin, TX vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | 98.1 | $1,562 | $56,950 | 1,293,690 |
| St. Louis, MO | 95.1 | $989 | $49,990 | 1,341,320 |
| Baltimore, MD | 104.5 | $1,511 | $59,070 | 1,356,680 |
| Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $1,428 | $49,990 | 1,358,370 |
| Portland, OR | 105.4 | $1,677 | $60,690 | 1,208,410 |
| Orlando, FL | 101.4 | $1,731 | $46,630 | 1,411,730 |
| Tampa, FL | 100.9 | $1,696 | $48,940 | 1,447,120 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin, TX expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area are 98.1% of the U.S. average, with housing at 120.4%. It is the #113 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Austin, TX?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $58,840 in Austin, TX (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $56,950.
Can you afford Austin, TX on the median wage?
A single worker on the $56,950 median wage takes home about $3,995 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $1,562 would take 39% of that.
How much is rent in Austin, TX?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Austin, TX are $1,474 for a studio, $1,562 for one bedroom, $1,852 for two bedrooms and $2,347 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in Austin, TX
Management Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $176,990
- Architectural and Engineering Manager — $176,540
- Financial Manager — $167,180
- Marketing Manager — $164,920
- Sales Manager — $151,760
- Human Resources Manager — $140,670
- Managers, All Other — $134,030
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $126,110
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Management Analyst — $106,600
- Project Management Specialist — $102,390
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $101,530
- Accountant and Auditor — $83,120
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $80,460
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $79,490
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $77,150
- Human Resources Specialist — $75,860
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $134,120
- Information Security Analyst — $134,100
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $129,470
- Data Scientist — $127,360
- Computer Systems Analyst — $104,590
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $104,520
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $103,070
- Computer User Support Specialist — $61,990
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $165,530
- Electrical Engineer — $145,360
- Industrial Engineer — $103,610
- Civil Engineer — $100,470
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $66,780
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $61,570
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $49,150
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $153,330
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $64,140
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Instructional Coordinator — $78,740
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $62,320
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $61,380
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $61,270
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $60,750
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $38,510
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,740
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $36,160
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Public Relations Specialist — $69,470
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Nurse Practitioner — $128,050
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $106,290
- Physical Therapist — $103,630
- Registered Nurse — $97,890
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $64,580
- Pharmacy Technician — $47,010
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $48,500
- Medical Assistant — $45,820
- Nursing Assistant — $38,550
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $28,370
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $82,290
- Security Guard — $37,920
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $40,650
- Cooks, Fast Food — $38,560
- Cooks, Restaurant — $36,810
- Dishwasher — $35,360
- Food Preparation Worker — $34,880
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $29,310
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $29,130
- Waiter and Waitress — $27,260
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $38,370
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,930
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $32,760
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $37,120
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $35,220
- Animal Caretaker — $35,040
- Childcare Worker — $28,470
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,760
Sales and Related Occupations
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $83,170
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $77,870
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $74,310
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $62,900
- Insurance Sales Agent — $50,850
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $49,730
- Real Estate Sales Agent — $45,740
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $38,220
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $76,240
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $69,600
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $54,320
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $52,300
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $49,070
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $48,470
- Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk — $48,280
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $46,510
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $77,800
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $62,810
- Electrician — $60,390
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $50,960
- Carpenter — $50,260
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $49,410
- Construction Laborer — $44,000
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $76,270
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $62,660
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $60,820
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $50,610
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $48,730
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $71,470
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $48,260
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $39,850
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $61,920
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $57,110
- Bus Drivers, School — $46,910
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $46,430
- Light Truck Driver — $45,820
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $38,530
- Stocker and Order Filler — $37,720
- Driver/Sales Worker — $37,220