Is Austin, TX cheaper than Burlington, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 7.1% more expensive than Burlington, NC. This translates to spending an extra $533 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Burlington, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Burlington, NC, you'd need approximately $156,401.845 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Burlington, NC and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 25.7% more expensive than in Burlington, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $964/month in Burlington, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Burlington, NC to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $533 more per month than Burlington, NC, or $6402 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Burlington, NC vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Burlington, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Durham, NC area

Current salary in Burlington, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $533/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $156.4K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 7.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$533

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$6.4K

Per year

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

Burlington, NC

Population:60K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$218K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:107

Median Home:$558K

Burlington, NC

The Tar Heel State

60K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 60K 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: Burlington, NC vs Austin, TX

Category	Burlington, NC	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,294/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $591more	25.7%
📦Other	$1,674/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $66.85more	4.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,235/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $49.31more	4.0%
🛒Groceries	$941/mo	$959/mo	↑ $18.60more	2.0%
⚡All Utilities	$536/mo	$541/mo	↑ $5.13more	1.0%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$589/mo	↓ $0.74less	0.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 25.7%

Burlington, NC

$2,294

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$591

📦Other

↑ 4.0%

Burlington, NC

$1,674

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$66.85

🚗Transportation

↑ 4.0%

Burlington, NC

$1,235

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$49.31

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.0%

Burlington, NC

$941

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$18.60

⚡All Utilities

↑ 1.0%

Burlington, NC

$536

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$5.13

🏥Healthcare

↓ 0.1%

Burlington, NC

$589

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$0.74

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$711

To$1,585

↑ $874

1 Bed

From$875

To$1,685

↑ $810

2 Bed

From$964

To$1,995

↑ $1,031

3 Bed

From$1,193

To$2,525

↑ $1,332

Burlington, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,070–$1,070/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.

$7,269

Monthly in Burlington, NC

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$730

Difference

Home Values

Burlington

Austin

$218K

Median Value

$558K

↓ -0.2%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +53.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$218K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 156% more expensive than Burlington

Calculate payment - Burlington Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$594

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Burlington, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Burlington, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.