Is Austin, TX cheaper than Rocky Mount, NC?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 11.0% more expensive than Rocky Mount, NC. This translates to spending an extra $826 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Rocky Mount, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Rocky Mount, NC, you'd need approximately $159,912.308 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rocky Mount, NC and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 35.7% more expensive than in Rocky Mount, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $943/month in Rocky Mount, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Rocky Mount, NC to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $826 more per month than Rocky Mount, NC, or $9912 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rocky Mount, NC vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rocky Mount, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Raleigh, NC area

Current salary in Rocky Mount, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $826/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $159.9K in Austin, TX

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

Overall Cost

↑ 11.0%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$826

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$9.9K

Per year

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

Rocky Mount, NC

Population:54K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$159K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:111

Median Home:$558K

Rocky Mount, NC

The Tar Heel State

54K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 54K 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: Rocky Mount, NC vs Austin, TX

Category	Rocky Mount, NC	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,125/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $759more	35.7%
📦Other	$1,633/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $108more	6.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,228/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $55.84more	4.5%
🛒Groceries	$938/mo	$959/mo	↑ $21.09more	2.2%
⚡All Utilities	$534/mo	$541/mo	↑ $6.55more	1.2%
🏥Healthcare	$588/mo	$589/mo	↑ $0.82more	0.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 35.7%

Rocky Mount, NC

$2,125

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$759

📦Other

↑ 6.6%

Rocky Mount, NC

$1,633

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$108

🚗Transportation

↑ 4.5%

Rocky Mount, NC

$1,228

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$55.84

🛒Groceries

↑ 2.2%

Rocky Mount, NC

$938

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$21.09

⚡All Utilities

↑ 1.2%

Rocky Mount, NC

$534

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$6.55

🏥Healthcare

↑ 0.1%

Rocky Mount, NC

$588

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$0.82

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$752

To$1,585

↑ $833

1 Bed

From$756

To$1,685

↑ $929

2 Bed

From$943

To$1,995

↑ $1,052

3 Bed

From$1,272

To$2,525

↑ $1,253

Rocky Mount, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $890–$970/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.

$7,047

Monthly in Rocky Mount, NC

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$951

Difference

Home Values

Rocky Mount

Austin

$159K

Median Value

$558K

↓ -4.1%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +45.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$117K - $201K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 251% more expensive than Rocky Mount

Calculate payment - Rocky Mount Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.1K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$594

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

4.7%

Rate difference

Rocky Mount, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Rocky Mount, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.