Is Austin, TX cheaper than Harlingen, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 14.8% more expensive than Harlingen, TX. This translates to spending an extra $1111 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Harlingen, TX, you'd need approximately $163,328.15 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Harlingen, TX and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 58.4% more expensive than in Harlingen, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $947/month in Harlingen, TX.

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

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1111 more per month than Harlingen, TX, or $13328 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Harlingen, TX vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Harlingen, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Corpus Christi, TX area

Current salary in Harlingen, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $163.3K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 14.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,111

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$13.3K

Per year

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

Harlingen, TX

Population:72K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$195K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:115

Median Home:$558K

Harlingen, TX

The Lone Star State

72K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 72K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

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: Harlingen, TX vs Austin, TX

Category	Harlingen, TX	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,822/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $1,063more	58.4%
🏥Healthcare	$523/mo	$589/mo	↑ $65.69more	12.6%
🛒Groceries	$903/mo	$959/mo	↑ $56.41more	6.2%
⚡All Utilities	$488/mo	$541/mo	↑ $52.66more	10.8%
📦Other	$1,716/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $24.60more	1.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,266/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $18.14more	1.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 58.4%

Harlingen, TX

$1,822

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$1,063

🏥Healthcare

↑ 12.6%

Harlingen, TX

$523

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$65.69

🛒Groceries

↑ 6.2%

Harlingen, TX

$903

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$56.41

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.8%

Harlingen, TX

$488

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$52.66

📦Other

↑ 1.4%

Harlingen, TX

$1,716

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$24.60

🚗Transportation

↑ 1.4%

Harlingen, TX

$1,266

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$18.14

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$700

To$1,585

↑ $885

1 Bed

From$779

To$1,685

↑ $906

2 Bed

From$947

To$1,995

↑ $1,048

3 Bed

From$1,278

To$2,525

↑ $1,247

Harlingen, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$980/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.

$6,718

Monthly in Harlingen, TX

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,281

Difference

Home Values

Harlingen

Austin

$195K

Median Value

$558K

↓ -2%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +30.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$170K - $220K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 186% more expensive than Harlingen

Calculate payment - Harlingen Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Harlingen, 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

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

Harlingen, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

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

Harlingen

Austin

51 Moderate

Air Quality

52 Moderate

48.6%

Good Air Days

42.6%

97 High

Climate Risk

98 High

🌊🌀🌡

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+2.2°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

52 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

▲+2.2°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

52 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Harlingen, TX on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Austin, TX

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Austin, TX

Harlingen, TX

Austin, TX

Harlingen, TX

Austin, TX

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code2 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code40 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP2 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Harlingen, TX

Austin, TX

Additional Tax Information

Harlingen, TX Tax Rates

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Austin, TX