Is Austin, TX cheaper than Plainfield, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 5.6% more expensive than Plainfield, IL. This translates to spending an extra $419 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Plainfield, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Plainfield, IL, you'd need approximately $155,023.715 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Plainfield, IL and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 15.8% more expensive than in Plainfield, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,787/month in Plainfield, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Plainfield, IL to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $419 more per month than Plainfield, IL, or $5024 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Plainfield, IL vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Plainfield, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Plainfield, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $419/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $155.0K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI area

Overall Cost

↑ 5.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$419

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$5.0K

Per year

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

Plainfield, IL

Population:47K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$376K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:106

Median Home:$558K

Plainfield, IL

The Prairie State

47K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 47K 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: Plainfield, IL vs Austin, TX

Category	Plainfield, IL	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,491/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $394more	15.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,516/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $232less	15.3%
📦Other	$1,586/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $155more	9.8%
⚡All Utilities	$493/mo	$541/mo	↑ $47.83more	9.7%
🏥Healthcare	$565/mo	$589/mo	↑ $23.56more	4.2%
🛒Groceries	$978/mo	$959/mo	↓ $18.46less	1.9%

🏠Housing

↑ 15.8%

Plainfield, IL

$2,491

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$394

🚗Transportation

↓ 15.3%

Plainfield, IL

$1,516

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$232

less

📦Other

↑ 9.8%

Plainfield, IL

$1,586

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$155

⚡All Utilities

↑ 9.7%

Plainfield, IL

$493

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$47.83

🏥Healthcare

↑ 4.2%

Plainfield, IL

$565

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$23.56

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.9%

Plainfield, IL

$978

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$18.46

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,480

To$1,585

↑ $105

1 Bed

From$1,580

To$1,685

↑ $105

2 Bed

From$1,787

To$1,995

↑ $208

3 Bed

From$2,301

To$2,525

↑ $224

Plainfield, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,060–$2,060/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.

$7,629

Monthly in Plainfield, IL

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$369

Difference

Home Values

Plainfield

Austin

$376K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +2.6%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +36.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$376K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 48% more expensive than Plainfield

Calculate payment - Plainfield Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.4K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$619

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.9%

Rate difference

Plainfield, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/month

$105.6K

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

Plainfield, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.