Is New York, NY cheaper than Austin, TX?

Based on cost of living data, New York, NY is 63.1% more expensive than Austin, TX. This translates to spending an extra $4733 per month.

What salary do I need in New York, NY to live like I do in Austin, TX?

If you earn $150,000 in Austin, TX, you'd need approximately $206,796.117 in New York, NY to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Austin, TX and New York, NY?

Housing in New York, NY is 165.1% more expensive than in Austin, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $3,590/month in New York, NY compared to $1,995/month in Austin, TX.

How much can I save per month by moving from Austin, TX to New York, NY?

Living in New York, NY costs approximately $4733 more per month than Austin, TX, or $56796 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Austin, TX

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New York, NY

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Austin, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.7K/month more in New York, NY

$150.0K in your current city equals $206.8K in New York, NY

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 63.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,733

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$56.8K

Per year

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

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$558K

New York, NY

Population:8337K

Cost Index:163

Median Home:$1.05M

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

New York, NY

The Empire State

8.3M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Most populous city in the US
•Major global financial center
•World-renowned cultural hub

Major Industries

FinanceReal EstateTechnologyMedia

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Austin, TX vs New York, NY

Category	Austin, TX	New York, NY	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,885/mo	$7,648/mo	↑ $4,763more	165.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,602/mo	↑ $318more	24.8%
📦Other	$1,741/mo	$2,034/mo	↑ $293more	16.8%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$1,165/mo	↑ $206more	21.5%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$688/mo	↑ $99.13more	16.8%
⚡All Utilities	$541/mo	$600/mo	↑ $59.01more	10.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 165.1%

Austin, TX

$2,885

New York, NY

$7,648

Difference

$4,763

🚗Transportation

↑ 24.8%

Austin, TX

$1,284

New York, NY

$1,602

Difference

$318

📦Other

↑ 16.8%

Austin, TX

$1,741

New York, NY

$2,034

Difference

$293

🛒Groceries

↑ 21.5%

Austin, TX

$959

New York, NY

$1,165

Difference

$206

🏥Healthcare

↑ 16.8%

Austin, TX

$589

New York, NY

$688

Difference

$99.13

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.9%

Austin, TX

$541

New York, NY

$600

Difference

$59.01

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

New York, NY: NYC Income Tax$5,689/yr (3.8%)

Austin, TX has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,585

To$3,120

↑ $1,535

1 Bed

From$1,685

To$3,270

↑ $1,585

2 Bed

From$1,995

To$3,590

↑ $1,595

3 Bed

From$2,525

To$4,500

↑ $1,975

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/mo

New York, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,260–$3,990/mo

💡 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.

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$13,737

Monthly in New York, NY

$5,739

Difference

Home Values

Austin

New York

$558K

Median Value

$1.05M

↓ -5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.1%

↑ +12.6%

5-Year Change

↓ -5.9%

$272K - $1.26M

Price Range

$471K - $3.49M

Homes in New York are 88% more expensive than Austin

Calculate payment - Austin Calculate payment - New York

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $9.5K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$795

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

6.4%

Rate difference

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Texas State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

New York, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

Additional Tax Information

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

New York, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

💡 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.