Is Austin, TX cheaper than Garfield, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 0.3% more expensive than Garfield, NJ. The two cities have very similar living costs.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Garfield, NJ, you'd need approximately $150,266.461 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Austin, TX is 49.1% more expensive than in Garfield, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,722/month in Garfield, NJ.

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

Garfield, NJ and Austin, TX have very similar costs of living, based on a $150,000 salary.

Garfield, NJ vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Garfield, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Garfield, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $22.21/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.3K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 0.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$22.21

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$266

Per year

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

Garfield, NJ

Population:32K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$570K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$558K

Garfield, NJ

The Garden State

32K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 32K 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: Garfield, NJ vs Austin, TX

Category	Garfield, NJ	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,935/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $950more	49.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,520/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $236less	15.5%
📦Other	$1,926/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $185less	9.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,072/mo	$959/mo	↓ $113less	10.5%
🏥Healthcare	$671/mo	$589/mo	↓ $82.03less	12.2%
⚡All Utilities	$581/mo	$541/mo	↓ $39.83less	6.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 49.1%

Garfield, NJ

$1,935

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$950

🚗Transportation

↓ 15.5%

Garfield, NJ

$1,520

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$236

less

📦Other

↓ 9.6%

Garfield, NJ

$1,926

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$185

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.5%

Garfield, NJ

$1,072

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$113

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.2%

Garfield, NJ

$671

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$82.03

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.9%

Garfield, NJ

$581

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$39.83

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,317

To$1,585

↑ $268

1 Bed

From$1,503

To$1,685

↑ $182

2 Bed

From$1,722

To$1,995

↑ $273

3 Bed

From$2,101

To$2,525

↑ $424

Garfield, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,860–$1,860/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.

$7,704

Monthly in Garfield, NJ

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$294

Difference

Home Values

Garfield

Austin

$570K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +1.3%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +32.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$570K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 2% less expensive than Garfield

Calculate payment - Garfield 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

Garfield, 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

Garfield, 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.