Is Austin, TX cheaper than Fort Lee, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 13.9% cheaper than Fort Lee, NJ. This translates to saving $1040 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Fort Lee, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Fort Lee, NJ, you'd need approximately $137,521.566 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Fort Lee, NJ and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 9.8% cheaper than in Fort Lee, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $2,691/month in Fort Lee, NJ.

How much can I save per month by moving from Fort Lee, NJ to Austin, TX?

Moving from Fort Lee, NJ to Austin, TX could save you approximately $1040 per month, or $12478 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Fort Lee, NJ vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fort Lee, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Jersey City, NJ area

Current salary in Fort Lee, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.0K/month moving to Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $137.5K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↓ 13.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,040

Savings

Annual Impact

$12.5K

Per year

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

Fort Lee, NJ

Population:40K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$576K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:86

Median Home:$558K

Fort Lee, NJ

The Garden State

40K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 40K 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: Fort Lee, NJ vs Austin, TX

Category	Fort Lee, NJ	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,200/mo	$2,885/mo	↓ $315less	9.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,529/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $245less	16.0%
📦Other	$1,938/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $197less	10.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,075/mo	$959/mo	↓ $116less	10.8%
🏥Healthcare	$673/mo	$589/mo	↓ $84.06less	12.5%
⚡All Utilities	$583/mo	$541/mo	↓ $41.59less	7.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 9.8%

Fort Lee, NJ

$3,200

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$315

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 16.0%

Fort Lee, NJ

$1,529

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$245

less

📦Other

↓ 10.2%

Fort Lee, NJ

$1,938

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$197

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.8%

Fort Lee, NJ

$1,075

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$116

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.5%

Fort Lee, NJ

$673

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$84.06

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 7.1%

Fort Lee, NJ

$583

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$41.59

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$2,057

To$1,585

↓ $472

1 Bed

From$2,342

To$1,685

↓ $657

2 Bed

From$2,691

To$1,995

↓ $696

3 Bed

From$3,285

To$2,525

↓ $760

Fort Lee, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,880–$2,880/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.

$8,996

Monthly in Fort Lee, NJ

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$998

Difference

Home Values

Fort Lee

Austin

$576K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +3.6%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +30%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$576K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 3% less expensive than Fort Lee

Calculate payment - Fort Lee 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

5.0%

Rate difference

Fort Lee, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/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

Fort Lee, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.