MoveNumbers
Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Owensboro, KY โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Louisville, KY area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.4K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 16.0%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,197
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$14.4K
Per year

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

Owensboro, KY

Population:60K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$203K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:116
Median Home:$558K

Owensboro, KY

The Bluegrass State

60K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 60K 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: Owensboro, KY vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 52.4%
Owensboro, KY
$1,893
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$992
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 10.9%
Owensboro, KY
$1,569
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$172
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 17.2%
Owensboro, KY
$461
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$79.55
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 5.1%
Owensboro, KY
$560
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$28.49
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 0.8%
Owensboro, KY
$1,294
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$10.13
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 0.7%
Owensboro, KY
$953
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$6.31
more

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Owensboro, KY: Owensboro Occupational Tax$2,775/yr (1.8%)

Austin, TX has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$747
To$1,585
โ†‘ $838
1 Bed
From$751
To$1,685
โ†‘ $934
2 Bed
From$986
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,009
3 Bed
From$1,304
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,221
Owensboro, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $890โ€“$900/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.

$6,731
Monthly in Owensboro, KY
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,268
Difference

Home Values

Owensboro
Austin
$203K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +3.4%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +38.6%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$198K - $209K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 174% more expensive than Owensboro

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $7.5K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$625
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
5.0%
Rate difference

Owensboro, 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
$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

Owensboro, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%
Property Tax:0.9%

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

Owensboro
Austin
50 Good
Air Quality
52 Moderate
50.8%
Good Air Days
42.6%
98 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
37 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
37 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

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

Where your money goes further

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

Similar cost to Austin, TX

Other cities in a similar price range

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison