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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Columbus, IN โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Indianapolis, IN area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.7K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $170.4K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 22.6%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,697
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$20.4K
Per year

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

Columbus, IN

Population:52K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$271K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:123
Median Home:$558K

Columbus, IN

The Hoosier State

52K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Indiana, this city has a population of 52K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขLive music capital
  • โ€ขMajor tech hub
  • โ€ขSXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Columbus, IN vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 70.3%
Columbus, IN
$1,694
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$1,191
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 13.4%
Columbus, IN
$1,535
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$206
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 11.9%
Columbus, IN
$1,147
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$137
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 6.2%
Columbus, IN
$903
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$55.99
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 9.5%
Columbus, IN
$494
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$47.01
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 2.9%
Columbus, IN
$572
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$16.34
more

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Columbus, IN: Bartholomew County Income Tax$3,000/yr (2.0%)

Austin, TX has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$944
To$1,585
โ†‘ $641
1 Bed
From$964
To$1,685
โ†‘ $721
2 Bed
From$1,087
To$1,995
โ†‘ $908
3 Bed
From$1,305
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,220
Columbus, INZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080โ€“$1,270/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490โ€“$2,350/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

$6,346
Monthly in Columbus, IN
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,653
Difference

Home Values

Columbus
Austin
$271K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +3%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +38.4%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$262K - $280K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 106% more expensive than Columbus

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $4.8K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$404
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
3.2%
Rate difference

Columbus, IN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Indiana State Tax
Effective: 3.2%
$4.8K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.9%
$41.9K
Take-Home Pay
$9,012/month
$108.1K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
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

Columbus, IN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%
Property Tax:0.9%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

๐Ÿ’ก 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

Columbus
Austin
54 Moderate
Air Quality
52 Moderate
36.6%
Good Air Days
42.6%
97 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
18 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
18 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Indiana and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

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