Is Austin, TX cheaper than Bloomington, MN?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 1.2% cheaper than Bloomington, MN. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Bloomington, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in Bloomington, MN, you'd need approximately $148,909.24 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bloomington, MN and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 18.3% more expensive than in Bloomington, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,526/month in Bloomington, MN.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bloomington, MN to Austin, TX?

Moving from Bloomington, MN to Austin, TX could save you approximately $91 per month, or $1091 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bloomington, MN vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Bloomington, MN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Minneapolis, MN area

Current salary in Bloomington, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $90.90/month moving to Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $148.9K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI area

Overall Cost

↓ 1.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$90.90

Savings

Annual Impact

$1.1K

Per year

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

Bloomington, MN

Population:87K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$363K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:99

Median Home:$558K

Bloomington, MN

The North Star State

87K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 87K residents.

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

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Bloomington, MN vs Austin, TX

Category	Bloomington, MN	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,439/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $446more	18.3%
🏥Healthcare	$743/mo	$589/mo	↓ $154less	20.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,011/mo	$959/mo	↓ $51.99less	5.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,332/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $47.89less	3.6%
⚡All Utilities	$499/mo	$541/mo	↑ $41.65more	8.3%
📦Other	$1,713/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $27.91more	1.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 18.3%

Bloomington, MN

$2,439

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$446

🏥Healthcare

↓ 20.7%

Bloomington, MN

$743

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$154

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.1%

Bloomington, MN

$1,011

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$51.99

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 3.6%

Bloomington, MN

$1,332

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$47.89

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 8.3%

Bloomington, MN

$499

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$41.65

📦Other

↑ 1.6%

Bloomington, MN

$1,713

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$27.91

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,108

To$1,585

↑ $477

1 Bed

From$1,256

To$1,685

↑ $429

2 Bed

From$1,526

To$1,995

↑ $469

3 Bed

From$2,019

To$2,525

↑ $506

Bloomington, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,310–$1,730/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490–$2,350/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.

$7,737

Monthly in Bloomington, MN

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$262

Difference

Home Values

Bloomington

Austin

$363K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +2.6%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +19.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$307K - $389K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 54% more expensive than Bloomington

Calculate payment - Bloomington Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $10.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$869

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

7.0%

Rate difference

Bloomington, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

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

Additional Tax Information

Bloomington, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

💡 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.