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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Forest Hills, MI โ€” COL adjusted from Milwaukee, WI area + state data

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.5K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $167.7K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 19.6%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,471
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$17.7K
Per year

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

Forest Hills, MI

Population:29K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$219K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:120
Median Home:$558K

Forest Hills, MI

The Great Lakes State

29K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 29K 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: Forest Hills, MI vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 76.1%
Forest Hills, MI
$1,638
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$1,247
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 14.5%
Forest Hills, MI
$1,521
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$220
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†“ 15.8%
Forest Hills, MI
$699
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$111
less
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 3.6%
Forest Hills, MI
$1,331
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$47.32
less
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 9.4%
Forest Hills, MI
$494
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$46.63
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 2.8%
Forest Hills, MI
$933
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$26.13
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$643
To$1,585
โ†‘ $942
1 Bed
From$724
To$1,685
โ†‘ $961
2 Bed
From$885
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,110
3 Bed
From$1,166
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,359
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.

$6,616
Monthly in Forest Hills, MI
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,382
Difference

Home Values

Forest Hills
Austin
-
Median Value
$558K
-
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
-
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
-
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $6.4K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$531
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
4.2%
Rate difference

Forest Hills, MI

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Michigan State Tax
Effective: 4.3%
$6.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 28.9%
$43.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,884/month
$106.6K

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

Forest Hills, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:1.4%

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

Forest Hills
Austin
43 Good
Air Quality
52 Moderate
68.6%
Good Air Days
42.6%
98 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.3ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
13 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+3.3ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
13 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

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

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