Is Austin, TX cheaper than Harrisburg, PA?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 8.8% more expensive than Harrisburg, PA. This translates to spending an extra $657 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Harrisburg, PA, you'd need approximately $157,887.761 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Harrisburg, PA and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 15.0% more expensive than in Harrisburg, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,063/month in Harrisburg, PA.

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

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $657 more per month than Harrisburg, PA, or $7888 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Harrisburg, PA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Harrisburg, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Baltimore, MD area

Current salary in Harrisburg, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $657/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $157.9K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 8.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$657

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$7.9K

Per year

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

Harrisburg, PA

Population:50K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$214K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:109

Median Home:$558K

Harrisburg, PA

The Keystone State

50K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 50K 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: Harrisburg, PA vs Austin, TX

Category	Harrisburg, PA	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,507/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $377more	15.0%
📦Other	$1,525/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $216more	14.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$959/mo	↓ $70.21less	6.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,233/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $51.45more	4.2%
⚡All Utilities	$573/mo	$541/mo	↓ $32.33less	5.6%
🏥Healthcare	$556/mo	$589/mo	↑ $32.26more	5.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 15.0%

Harrisburg, PA

$2,507

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$377

📦Other

↑ 14.1%

Harrisburg, PA

$1,525

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$216

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.8%

Harrisburg, PA

$1,029

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$70.21

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 4.2%

Harrisburg, PA

$1,233

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$51.45

⚡All Utilities

↓ 5.6%

Harrisburg, PA

$573

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$32.33

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 5.8%

Harrisburg, PA

$556

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$32.26

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Harrisburg, PA: Harrisburg Earned Income Tax$4,350/yr (2.9%)

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$752

To$1,585

↑ $833

1 Bed

From$866

To$1,685

↑ $819

2 Bed

From$1,063

To$1,995

↑ $932

3 Bed

From$1,367

To$2,525

↑ $1,158

Harrisburg, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,020–$1,420/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.

$7,425

Monthly in Harrisburg, PA

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$574

Difference

Home Values

Harrisburg

Austin

$214K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +2.4%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +38.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$126K - $348K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 160% more expensive than Harrisburg

Calculate payment - Harrisburg Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $4.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$384

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

3.1%

Rate difference

Harrisburg, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

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

Harrisburg, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.