Is Austin, TX cheaper than Rochester, NY?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 7.0% more expensive than Rochester, NY. This translates to spending an extra $526 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Rochester, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in Rochester, NY, you'd need approximately $156,307.336 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rochester, NY and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 36.8% more expensive than in Rochester, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,633/month in Rochester, NY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Rochester, NY to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $526 more per month than Rochester, NY, or $6307 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rochester, NY vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rochester, NY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Pittsburgh, PA area

Current salary in Rochester, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $526/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $156.3K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 7.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$526

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$6.3K

Per year

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

Rochester, NY

Population:207K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$198K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:107

Median Home:$558K

Rochester, NY

The Empire State

207K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 207K 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: Rochester, NY vs Austin, TX

Category	Rochester, NY	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,108/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $777more	36.8%
⚡All Utilities	$631/mo	$541/mo	↓ $89.80less	14.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$959/mo	↓ $69.51less	6.8%
🏥Healthcare	$548/mo	$589/mo	↑ $40.91more	7.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,315/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $30.79less	2.3%
📦Other	$1,738/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $2.93more	0.2%

🏠Housing

↑ 36.8%

Rochester, NY

$2,108

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$777

⚡All Utilities

↓ 14.2%

Rochester, NY

$631

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$89.80

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.8%

Rochester, NY

$1,029

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$69.51

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 7.5%

Rochester, NY

$548

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$40.91

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.3%

Rochester, NY

$1,315

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$30.79

less

📦Other

↑ 0.2%

Rochester, NY

$1,738

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$2.93

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,157

To$1,585

↑ $428

1 Bed

From$1,309

To$1,685

↑ $376

2 Bed

From$1,633

To$1,995

↑ $362

3 Bed

From$1,968

To$2,525

↑ $557

Rochester, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,880/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.

$7,368

Monthly in Rochester, NY

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$630

Difference

Home Values

Rochester

Austin

$198K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +2.3%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +45.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$90K - $334K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 182% more expensive than Rochester

Calculate payment - Rochester Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $9.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$795

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

6.4%

Rate difference

Rochester, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

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

Rochester, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.