Is Austin, TX cheaper than Nicholasville, KY?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 16.6% more expensive than Nicholasville, KY. This translates to spending an extra $1243 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Nicholasville, KY?

If you earn $150,000 in Nicholasville, KY, you'd need approximately $164,911.142 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Nicholasville, KY and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 44.2% more expensive than in Nicholasville, KY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $953/month in Nicholasville, KY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Nicholasville, KY to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1243 more per month than Nicholasville, KY, or $14911 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Nicholasville, KY vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Nicholasville, KY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Lexington, KY area

Current salary in Nicholasville, KY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.9K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 16.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,243

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$14.9K

Per year

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

Nicholasville, KY

Population:32K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$313K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:117

Median Home:$558K

Nicholasville, KY

The Bluegrass State

32K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, 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

•Live music capital
•Major tech hub
•SXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Nicholasville, KY vs Austin, TX

Category	Nicholasville, KY	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,000/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $885more	44.2%
📦Other	$1,559/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $182more	11.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,155/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $129more	11.2%
⚡All Utilities	$453/mo	$541/mo	↑ $88.23more	19.5%
🏥Healthcare	$537/mo	$589/mo	↑ $51.10more	9.5%
🛒Groceries	$935/mo	$959/mo	↑ $24.23more	2.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 44.2%

Nicholasville, KY

$2,000

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$885

📦Other

↑ 11.7%

Nicholasville, KY

$1,559

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$182

🚗Transportation

↑ 11.2%

Nicholasville, KY

$1,155

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$129

⚡All Utilities

↑ 19.5%

Nicholasville, KY

$453

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$88.23

🏥Healthcare

↑ 9.5%

Nicholasville, KY

$537

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$51.10

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.6%

Nicholasville, KY

$935

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$24.23

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$662

To$1,585

↑ $923

1 Bed

From$808

To$1,685

↑ $877

2 Bed

From$953

To$1,995

↑ $1,042

3 Bed

From$1,308

To$2,525

↑ $1,217

Nicholasville, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,000/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.

$6,639

Monthly in Nicholasville, KY

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,359

Difference

Home Values

Nicholasville

Austin

$313K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +3.9%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +44%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$313K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 79% more expensive than Nicholasville

Calculate payment - Nicholasville Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$625

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.0%

Rate difference

Nicholasville, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Nicholasville, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.

Environment

Nicholasville

Austin

41 Good

Air Quality

52 Moderate

79.2%

Good Air Days

42.6%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

98 High

🌪💨

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🌪

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

21 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

▲+3.0°F

2050 Outlook

▲+2.5°F

21 days

Heat Days >95°F

98 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Kentucky and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Nicholasville, KY on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to Austin, TX

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Austin, TX

Nicholasville, KY

Austin, TX

Nicholasville, KY

Austin, TX

Notable Facts

Major Industries

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code40 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP39 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Nicholasville, KY

Austin, TX

Additional Tax Information

Nicholasville, KY Tax Rates

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to Austin, TX