Is Austin, TX cheaper than Champaign, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 16.9% more expensive than Champaign, IL. This translates to spending an extra $1267 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Champaign, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Champaign, IL, you'd need approximately $165,201.44 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Champaign, IL and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 46.1% more expensive than in Champaign, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,286/month in Champaign, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Champaign, IL to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1267 more per month than Champaign, IL, or $15201 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Champaign, IL vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Champaign, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Indianapolis, IN area

Current salary in Champaign, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.2K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 16.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,267

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$15.2K

Per year

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

Champaign, IL

Population:89K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$193K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:117

Median Home:$558K

Champaign, IL

The Prairie State

89K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 89K 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: Champaign, IL vs Austin, TX

Category	Champaign, IL	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,974/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $911more	46.1%
📦Other	$1,611/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $130more	8.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,204/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $80.37more	6.7%
⚡All Utilities	$506/mo	$541/mo	↑ $35.03more	6.9%
🛒Groceries	$925/mo	$959/mo	↑ $34.09more	3.7%
🏥Healthcare	$586/mo	$589/mo	↑ $2.47more	0.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 46.1%

Champaign, IL

$1,974

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$911

📦Other

↑ 8.1%

Champaign, IL

$1,611

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$130

🚗Transportation

↑ 6.7%

Champaign, IL

$1,204

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$80.37

⚡All Utilities

↑ 6.9%

Champaign, IL

$506

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$35.03

🛒Groceries

↑ 3.7%

Champaign, IL

$925

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$34.09

🏥Healthcare

↑ 0.4%

Champaign, IL

$586

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$2.47

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,074

To$1,585

↑ $511

1 Bed

From$1,084

To$1,685

↑ $601

2 Bed

From$1,286

To$1,995

↑ $709

3 Bed

From$1,651

To$2,525

↑ $874

Champaign, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $980–$1,210/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.

$6,806

Monthly in Champaign, IL

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,193

Difference

Home Values

Champaign

Austin

$193K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +5.6%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +39.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$175K - $318K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 189% more expensive than Champaign

Calculate payment - Champaign 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

4.9%

Rate difference

Champaign, 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

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

Champaign, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.

Environment

Champaign

Austin

54 Moderate

Air Quality

52 Moderate

36.6%

Good Air Days

42.6%

97 High

Climate Risk

98 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

18 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

18 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Illinois and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Champaign, IL on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Austin, TX

Other cities in a similar price range

Denver, CO Raleigh, NC Charlotte, NC

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Austin, TX

Champaign, IL

Austin, TX

Champaign, IL

Austin, TX

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code3 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code40 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP3 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Champaign, IL

Austin, TX

Additional Tax Information

Champaign, IL Tax Rates

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Austin, TX