Is Austin, TX cheaper than Frankfort, KY?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 16.9% more expensive than Frankfort, KY. This translates to spending an extra $1270 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Frankfort, KY?

If you earn $150,000 in Frankfort, KY, you'd need approximately $165,239.694 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Frankfort, KY and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 44.7% more expensive than in Frankfort, KY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $805/month in Frankfort, KY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Frankfort, KY to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1270 more per month than Frankfort, KY, or $15240 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Frankfort, KY vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Frankfort, KY — COL adjusted from Lexington, KY area + state data

Current salary in Frankfort, KY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $165.2K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 16.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,270

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$15.2K

Per year

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

Frankfort, KY

Population:28K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$345K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:117

Median Home:$558K

Frankfort, KY

The Bluegrass State

28K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 28K 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: Frankfort, KY vs Austin, TX

Category	Frankfort, KY	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,994/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $891more	44.7%
📦Other	$1,554/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $187more	12.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,151/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $133more	11.5%
⚡All Utilities	$452/mo	$541/mo	↑ $88.94more	19.7%
🏥Healthcare	$537/mo	$589/mo	↑ $51.94more	9.7%
🛒Groceries	$934/mo	$959/mo	↑ $25.69more	2.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 44.7%

Frankfort, KY

$1,994

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$891

📦Other

↑ 12.0%

Frankfort, KY

$1,554

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$187

🚗Transportation

↑ 11.5%

Frankfort, KY

$1,151

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$133

⚡All Utilities

↑ 19.7%

Frankfort, KY

$452

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$88.94

🏥Healthcare

↑ 9.7%

Frankfort, KY

$537

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$51.94

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.8%

Frankfort, KY

$934

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$25.69

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Frankfort, KY: Frankfort Occupational 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.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$580

To$1,585

↑ $1,005

1 Bed

From$660

To$1,685

↑ $1,025

2 Bed

From$805

To$1,995

↑ $1,190

3 Bed

From$1,087

To$2,525

↑ $1,438

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.

$6,621

Monthly in Frankfort, KY

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,377

Difference

Home Values

Frankfort

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

↑ $7.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$625

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.0%

Rate difference

Frankfort, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Frankfort, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.

Environment

Frankfort

Austin

41 Good

Air Quality

52 Moderate

79.2%

Good Air Days

42.6%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

98 High

🌪💨

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

21 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

21 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kentucky and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Frankfort, KY on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Austin, TX

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.3K/month more in Austin, TX

Frankfort, KY

Austin, TX

Frankfort, KY

Austin, TX

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code40 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Frankfort, KY

Austin, TX

Additional Tax Information

Frankfort, KY Tax Rates

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Austin, TX