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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Garden City, KS โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Wichita, KS area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $2.6K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $181.0K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 34.4%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$2,580
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$31.0K
Per year

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

Garden City, KS

Population:27K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$229K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:134
Median Home:$558K

Garden City, KS

The Sunflower State

27K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kansas, this city has a population of 27K 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: Garden City, KS vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 94.9%
Garden City, KS
$1,480
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$1,405
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 19.1%
Garden City, KS
$1,462
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$279
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 19.9%
Garden City, KS
$1,071
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$213
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 14.3%
Garden City, KS
$840
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$120
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 7.1%
Garden City, KS
$550
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$38.83
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 7.0%
Garden City, KS
$505
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$35.47
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$598
To$1,585
โ†‘ $987
1 Bed
From$598
To$1,685
โ†‘ $1,087
2 Bed
From$788
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,207
3 Bed
From$1,083
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,442
Garden City, KSZIP-level data

1BR range: $790โ€“$790/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.

$5,908
Monthly in Garden City, KS
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$2,091
Difference

Home Values

Garden City
Austin
$229K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +1.1%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +27.4%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$229K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 144% more expensive than Garden City

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $8.4K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$702
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
5.6%
Rate difference

Garden City, KS

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Kansas State Tax
Effective: 5.6%
$8.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.3%
$45.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,714/month
$104.6K

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

Garden City, KS Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.7%
Property Tax:1.3%

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

Garden City
Austin
43 Good
Air Quality
52 Moderate
75.1%
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
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+3.1ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
61 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

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

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