Is Austin, TX cheaper than Lansing, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 5.8% more expensive than Lansing, IL. This translates to spending an extra $438 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Lansing, IL, you'd need approximately $155,261.392 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lansing, IL and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 16.1% more expensive than in Lansing, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,201/month in Lansing, IL.

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

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $438 more per month than Lansing, IL, or $5261 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lansing, IL vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lansing, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Lansing, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $438/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $155.3K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI area

Overall Cost

↑ 5.8%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$438

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$5.3K

Per year

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

Lansing, IL

Population:28K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$191K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:106

Median Home:$558K

Lansing, IL

The Prairie State

28K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, 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: Lansing, IL vs Austin, TX

Category	Lansing, IL	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,484/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $400more	16.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,512/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $228less	15.1%
📦Other	$1,582/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $159more	10.0%
⚡All Utilities	$493/mo	$541/mo	↑ $48.44more	9.8%
🏥Healthcare	$564/mo	$589/mo	↑ $24.27more	4.3%
🛒Groceries	$977/mo	$959/mo	↓ $17.24less	1.8%

🏠Housing

↑ 16.1%

Lansing, IL

$2,484

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$400

🚗Transportation

↓ 15.1%

Lansing, IL

$1,512

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$228

less

📦Other

↑ 10.0%

Lansing, IL

$1,582

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$159

⚡All Utilities

↑ 9.8%

Lansing, IL

$493

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$48.44

🏥Healthcare

↑ 4.3%

Lansing, IL

$564

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$24.27

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.8%

Lansing, IL

$977

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$17.24

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$995

To$1,585

↑ $590

1 Bed

From$1,064

To$1,685

↑ $621

2 Bed

From$1,201

To$1,995

↑ $794

3 Bed

From$1,546

To$2,525

↑ $979

Lansing, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,390–$1,390/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.

$7,613

Monthly in Lansing, IL

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$386

Difference

Home Values

Lansing

Austin

$191K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +0.2%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +42.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$191K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 192% more expensive than Lansing

Calculate payment - Lansing 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

4.9%

Rate difference

Lansing, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/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

Lansing, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.