Is Austin, TX cheaper than Ellicott City, MD?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 1.7% more expensive than Ellicott City, MD. This translates to spending an extra $126 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Ellicott City, MD?

If you earn $150,000 in Ellicott City, MD, you'd need approximately $151,512.175 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Ellicott City, MD and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 7.5% more expensive than in Ellicott City, MD. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,340/month in Ellicott City, MD.

How much can I save per month by moving from Ellicott City, MD to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $126 more per month than Ellicott City, MD, or $1512 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Ellicott City, MD vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Ellicott City, MD — COL adjusted from Baltimore, MD area + state data

Current salary in Ellicott City, MD

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $126/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $151.5K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 1.7%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$126

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$1.5K

Per year

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

Ellicott City, MD

Population:76K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$218K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:102

Median Home:$558K

Ellicott City, MD

The Old Line State

76K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Maryland, this city has a population of 76K 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: Ellicott City, MD vs Austin, TX

Category	Ellicott City, MD	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,682/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $202more	7.5%
📦Other	$1,632/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $109more	6.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,065/mo	$959/mo	↓ $105less	9.9%
⚡All Utilities	$593/mo	$541/mo	↓ $51.97less	8.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,318/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $34.42less	2.6%
🏥Healthcare	$575/mo	$589/mo	↑ $13.20more	2.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 7.5%

Ellicott City, MD

$2,682

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$202

📦Other

↑ 6.7%

Ellicott City, MD

$1,632

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$109

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.9%

Ellicott City, MD

$1,065

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$105

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.8%

Ellicott City, MD

$593

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$51.97

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.6%

Ellicott City, MD

$1,318

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$34.42

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 2.3%

Ellicott City, MD

$575

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$13.20

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$934

To$1,585

↑ $651

1 Bed

From$1,097

To$1,685

↑ $588

2 Bed

From$1,340

To$1,995

↑ $655

3 Bed

From$1,787

To$2,525

↑ $738

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.

$7,865

Monthly in Ellicott City, MD

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$133

Difference

Home Values

Ellicott City

Austin

Median Value

$558K

YoY Change

↓ -5%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.3K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$605

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.8%

Rate difference

Ellicott City, MD

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Maryland State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.5%

$44.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,811/month

$105.7K

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

Ellicott City, MD Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

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.