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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ New Bern, NC โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Raleigh, NC area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.6K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $168.8K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 20.9%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,567
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$18.8K
Per year

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

New Bern, NC

Population:32K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$285K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:121
Median Home:$558K

New Bern, NC

The Tar Heel State

32K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 32K 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: New Bern, NC vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 47.8%
New Bern, NC
$1,952
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$933
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 16.1%
New Bern, NC
$1,500
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$241
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 13.9%
New Bern, NC
$1,128
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$156
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 6.7%
New Bern, NC
$899
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$60.26
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 5.6%
New Bern, NC
$512
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$28.86
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 4.5%
New Bern, NC
$563
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$25.36
more

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$672
To$1,585
โ†‘ $913
1 Bed
From$679
To$1,685
โ†‘ $1,006
2 Bed
From$888
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,107
3 Bed
From$1,195
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,330
New Bern, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $910โ€“$910/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.

$6,553
Monthly in New Bern, NC
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,445
Difference

Home Values

New Bern
Austin
$285K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +2.1%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +50.3%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$262K - $308K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 96% more expensive than New Bern

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $7.1K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$594
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
4.7%
Rate difference

New Bern, NC

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
North Carolina State Tax
Effective: 4.8%
$7.1K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 29.4%
$44.1K
Take-Home Pay
$8,822/month
$105.9K

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

New Bern, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

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

New Bern
Austin
46 Good
Air Quality
52 Moderate
61.7%
Good Air Days
42.6%
96 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
31 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+2.8ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
31 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

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

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