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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Alton, IL โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from St. Louis, MO area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.9K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $172.6K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from St. Louis, MO-IL area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 25.2%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,887
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$22.6K
Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Alton, IL

Population:25K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$112K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:125
Median Home:$558K

Alton, IL

The Prairie State

25K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 25K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขLive music capital
  • โ€ขMajor tech hub
  • โ€ขSXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Alton, IL vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 81.1%
Alton, IL
$1,593
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$1,292
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 14.5%
Alton, IL
$1,520
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$221
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 11.7%
Alton, IL
$1,150
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$134
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 14.9%
Alton, IL
$512
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$76.39
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 3.9%
Alton, IL
$923
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$36.01
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 3.9%
Alton, IL
$521
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$20.14
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$732
To$1,585
โ†‘ $853
1 Bed
From$764
To$1,685
โ†‘ $921
2 Bed
From$933
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,062
3 Bed
From$1,198
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,327
Alton, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $950โ€“$950/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490โ€“$2,350/mo

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$6,219
Monthly in Alton, IL
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,779
Difference

Home Values

Alton
Austin
$112K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +1.8%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +19.4%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$112K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 398% more expensive than Alton

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $7.4K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$619
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
4.9%
Rate difference

Alton, IL

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Illinois State Tax
Effective: 5.0%
$7.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.6%
$44.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,797/month
$105.6K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 24.7%
$37.0K
Take-Home Pay
$9,416/month
$113.0K

Additional Tax Information

Alton, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%
Property Tax:2.2%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

๐Ÿ’ก Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.

Environment

Alton
Austin
54 Moderate
Air Quality
52 Moderate
38%
Good Air Days
42.6%
99 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐Ÿซจ
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
39 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
39 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Illinois and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

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