Is Austin, TX cheaper than Chester, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 11.1% more expensive than Chester, PA. This translates to spending an extra $830 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Chester, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Chester, PA, you'd need approximately $159,965.384 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Chester, PA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 51.2% more expensive than in Chester, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,114/month in Chester, PA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Chester, PA to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $830 more per month than Chester, PA, or $9965 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Chester, PA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Chester, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

Current salary in Chester, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $830/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $160.0K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↑ 11.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$830

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$10.0K

Per year

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

Chester, PA

Population:34K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$112K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:111

Median Home:$558K

Chester, PA

The Keystone State

34K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 34K 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: Chester, PA vs Austin, TX

Category	Chester, PA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,907/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $977more	51.2%
📦Other	$1,626/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $115more	7.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,057/mo	$959/mo	↓ $97.69less	9.2%
⚡All Utilities	$581/mo	$541/mo	↓ $39.64less	6.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,302/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $17.73less	1.4%
🏥Healthcare	$581/mo	$589/mo	↑ $7.37more	1.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 51.2%

Chester, PA

$1,907

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$977

📦Other

↑ 7.1%

Chester, PA

$1,626

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$115

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.2%

Chester, PA

$1,057

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$97.69

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.8%

Chester, PA

$581

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$39.64

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.4%

Chester, PA

$1,302

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$17.73

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 1.3%

Chester, PA

$581

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$7.37

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Chester, PA: Chester Earned Income Tax$4,950/yr (3.3%)

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$857

To$1,585

↑ $728

1 Bed

From$935

To$1,685

↑ $750

2 Bed

From$1,114

To$1,995

↑ $881

3 Bed

From$1,332

To$2,525

↑ $1,193

Chester, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,200–$1,200/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.

$7,054

Monthly in Chester, PA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$944

Difference

Home Values

Chester

Austin

$112K

Median Value

$558K

↓ -1%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +64%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$112K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 400% more expensive than Chester

Calculate payment - Chester Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $4.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$384

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.1%

Rate difference

Chester, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

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

Chester, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.