Is Austin, TX cheaper than Little Elm, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 0.6% more expensive than Little Elm, TX. The two cities have very similar living costs.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Little Elm, TX, you'd need approximately $150,570.591 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Little Elm, TX and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 25.2% more expensive than in Little Elm, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,313/month in Little Elm, TX.

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

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

Little Elm, TX vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Little Elm, TX — COL adjusted from Plano, TX area + state data

Current salary in Little Elm, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $47.55/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $150.6K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 0.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$47.55

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$571

Per year

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

Little Elm, TX

Population:58K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$496K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:101

Median Home:$558K

Little Elm, TX

The Lone Star State

58K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 58K 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: Little Elm, TX vs Austin, TX

Category	Little Elm, TX	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,304/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $581more	25.2%
📦Other	$1,859/mo	$1,741/mo	↓ $118less	6.3%
🏥Healthcare	$621/mo	$589/mo	↓ $32.40less	5.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,253/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $31.01more	2.5%
⚡All Utilities	$553/mo	$541/mo	↓ $12.08less	2.2%
🛒Groceries	$962/mo	$959/mo	↓ $2.98less	0.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 25.2%

Little Elm, TX

$2,304

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$581

📦Other

↓ 6.3%

Little Elm, TX

$1,859

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$118

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 5.2%

Little Elm, TX

$621

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$32.40

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 2.5%

Little Elm, TX

$1,253

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$31.01

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.2%

Little Elm, TX

$553

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$12.08

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.3%

Little Elm, TX

$962

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$2.98

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$903

To$1,585

↑ $682

1 Bed

From$1,067

To$1,685

↑ $618

2 Bed

From$1,313

To$1,995

↑ $682

3 Bed

From$1,806

To$2,525

↑ $719

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.

$7,552

Monthly in Little Elm, TX

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$447

Difference

Home Values

Little Elm

Austin

Median Value

$558K

YoY Change

↓ -5%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

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

Little Elm, 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

Little Elm, 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.