Is Austin, TX cheaper than Rowlett, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 9.3% more expensive than Rowlett, TX. This translates to spending an extra $696 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Rowlett, TX, you'd need approximately $158,350.86 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rowlett, TX and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 44.2% more expensive than in Rowlett, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $2,040/month in Rowlett, TX.

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

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $696 more per month than Rowlett, TX, or $8351 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rowlett, TX vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rowlett, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Garland, TX area

Current salary in Rowlett, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $696/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $158.4K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 9.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$696

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$8.4K

Per year

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

Rowlett, TX

Population:67K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$352K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:109

Median Home:$558K

Rowlett, TX

The Lone Star State

67K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 67K residents.

💡 Advantage: Texas has no state income tax!

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: Rowlett, TX vs Austin, TX

Category	Rowlett, TX	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,000/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $885more	44.2%
📦Other	$1,610/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $131more	8.1%
🏥Healthcare	$623/mo	$589/mo	↓ $34.36less	5.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,261/mo	$1,284/mo	↑ $23.07more	1.8%
⚡All Utilities	$555/mo	$541/mo	↓ $13.83less	2.5%
🛒Groceries	$965/mo	$959/mo	↓ $6.03less	0.6%

🏠Housing

↑ 44.2%

Rowlett, TX

$2,000

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$885

📦Other

↑ 8.1%

Rowlett, TX

$1,610

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$131

🏥Healthcare

↓ 5.5%

Rowlett, TX

$623

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$34.36

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 1.8%

Rowlett, TX

$1,261

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$23.07

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.5%

Rowlett, TX

$555

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$13.83

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.6%

Rowlett, TX

$965

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$6.03

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,668

To$1,585

↓ $83.00

1 Bed

From$1,743

To$1,685

↓ $58.00

2 Bed

From$2,040

To$1,995

↓ $45.00

3 Bed

From$2,569

To$2,525

↓ $44.00

Rowlett, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,110–$2,110/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.

$7,014

Monthly in Rowlett, TX

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$984

Difference

Home Values

Rowlett

Austin

$352K

Median Value

$558K

↓ -5.3%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +28.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$352K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 59% more expensive than Rowlett

Calculate payment - Rowlett Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

→ $0

Same taxes

Monthly Difference

Same take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.0%

Rate difference

Rowlett, 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

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

Rowlett, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.8%

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.