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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Moorhead, MN โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Minneapolis, MN area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.6K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 18.5%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,385
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$16.6K
Per year

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

Moorhead, MN

Population:45K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$275K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:118
Median Home:$558K

Moorhead, MN

The North Star State

45K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 45K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขLive music capital
  • โ€ขMajor tech hub
  • โ€ขSXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Moorhead, MN vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 41.8%
Moorhead, MN
$2,034
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$851
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 21.9%
Moorhead, MN
$1,429
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$312
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 15.6%
Moorhead, MN
$1,111
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$173
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†“ 13.2%
Moorhead, MN
$678
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$89.62
less
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 18.6%
Moorhead, MN
$456
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$85.00
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 3.9%
Moorhead, MN
$923
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$35.80
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$554
To$1,585
โ†‘ $1,031
1 Bed
From$664
To$1,685
โ†‘ $1,021
2 Bed
From$801
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,194
3 Bed
From$1,115
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,410
Moorhead, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $970โ€“$970/mo

Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490โ€“$2,350/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

$6,631
Monthly in Moorhead, MN
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,368
Difference

Home Values

Moorhead
Austin
$275K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +2.8%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +25.5%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$275K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 103% more expensive than Moorhead

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $10.4K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$869
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
7.0%
Rate difference

Moorhead, MN

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Minnesota State Tax
Effective: 7.0%
$10.4K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 31.6%
$47.4K
Take-Home Pay
$8,546/month
$102.6K

Austin, TX

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Texas State Tax
No state income tax
$0
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

Moorhead, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%
Property Tax:1.1%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

๐Ÿ’ก 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

Moorhead
Austin
42 Good
Air Quality
52 Moderate
66.4%
Good Air Days
42.6%
98 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.6ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
14 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+3.6ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
14 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between Minnesota and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

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