Is Austin, TX cheaper than Rock Island, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 12.9% more expensive than Rock Island, IL. This translates to spending an extra $969 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Rock Island, IL, you'd need approximately $161,627.903 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in Austin, TX is 33.9% more expensive than in Rock Island, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $827/month in Rock Island, IL.

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

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $969 more per month than Rock Island, IL, or $11628 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rock Island, IL vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rock Island, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Madison, WI area

Current salary in Rock Island, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $969/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $161.6K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 12.9%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$969

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$11.6K

Per year

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

Rock Island, IL

Population:36K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$122K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:113

Median Home:$558K

Rock Island, IL

The Prairie State

36K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 36K 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: Rock Island, IL vs Austin, TX

Category	Rock Island, IL	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,154/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $731more	33.9%
📦Other	$1,556/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $185more	11.9%
🏥Healthcare	$670/mo	$589/mo	↓ $81.27less	12.1%
⚡All Utilities	$474/mo	$541/mo	↑ $67.32more	14.2%
🛒Groceries	$894/mo	$959/mo	↑ $65.18more	7.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,222/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $61.77more	5.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 33.9%

Rock Island, IL

$2,154

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$731

📦Other

↑ 11.9%

Rock Island, IL

$1,556

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$185

🏥Healthcare

↓ 12.1%

Rock Island, IL

$670

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$81.27

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 14.2%

Rock Island, IL

$474

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$67.32

🛒Groceries

↑ 7.3%

Rock Island, IL

$894

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$65.18

🚗Transportation

↑ 5.1%

Rock Island, IL

$1,222

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$61.77

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$591

To$1,585

↑ $994

1 Bed

From$672

To$1,685

↑ $1,013

2 Bed

From$827

To$1,995

↑ $1,168

3 Bed

From$1,085

To$2,525

↑ $1,440

Rock Island, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $910–$910/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.

$6,970

Monthly in Rock Island, IL

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,029

Difference

Home Values

Rock Island

Austin

$122K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +3.2%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +19.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$122K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 359% more expensive than Rock Island

Calculate payment - Rock Island 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

Rock Island, 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

Rock Island, 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.