Is Austin, TX cheaper than Carteret, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 0.9% more expensive than Carteret, NJ. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Carteret, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Carteret, NJ, you'd need approximately $150,784.407 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Carteret, NJ and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 49.9% more expensive than in Carteret, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $2,162/month in Carteret, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from Carteret, NJ to Austin, TX?

Carteret, NJ and Austin, TX have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

Carteret, NJ vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Carteret, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Carteret, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $65.37/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.8K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↑ 0.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$65.37

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$784

Per year

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

Carteret, NJ

Population:25K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$540K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:101

Median Home:$558K

Carteret, NJ

The Garden State

25K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, 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

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

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Carteret, NJ vs Austin, TX

Category	Carteret, NJ	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,924/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $961more	49.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,511/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $227less	15.0%
📦Other	$1,915/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $174less	9.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,069/mo	$959/mo	↓ $110less	10.2%
🏥Healthcare	$669/mo	$589/mo	↓ $80.12less	12.0%
⚡All Utilities	$579/mo	$541/mo	↓ $38.17less	6.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 49.9%

Carteret, NJ

$1,924

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$961

🚗Transportation

↓ 15.0%

Carteret, NJ

$1,511

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$227

less

📦Other

↓ 9.1%

Carteret, NJ

$1,915

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$174

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.2%

Carteret, NJ

$1,069

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$110

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.0%

Carteret, NJ

$669

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$80.12

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.6%

Carteret, NJ

$579

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$38.17

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,567

To$1,585

↑ $18.00

1 Bed

From$1,720

To$1,685

↓ $35.00

2 Bed

From$2,162

To$1,995

↓ $167

3 Bed

From$2,596

To$2,525

↓ $71.00

Carteret, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,140–$2,140/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.

$7,667

Monthly in Carteret, NJ

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$332

Difference

Home Values

Carteret

Austin

$540K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +4%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +46.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$540K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 3% more expensive than Carteret

Calculate payment - Carteret Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$619

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.0%

Rate difference

Carteret, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Carteret, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.