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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Sanford, NC โ€” COL adjusted from Fayetteville, NC area + state data

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.2K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.5K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 16.1%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,209
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$14.5K
Per year

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

Sanford, NC

Population:32K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$238K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:116
Median Home:$558K

Sanford, NC

The Tar Heel State

32K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 32K residents.

Austin, TX

The Lone Star State

979K
Population
State Tax
No Income Tax
Climate
Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

  • โ€ขLive music capital
  • โ€ขMajor tech hub
  • โ€ขSXSW festival city

Major Industries

TechnologyMusic IndustryEducationGovernment

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Sanford, NC vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 50.5%
Sanford, NC
$1,917
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$968
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 12.4%
Sanford, NC
$1,549
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$192
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 10.8%
Sanford, NC
$1,159
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$125
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†‘ 6.1%
Sanford, NC
$510
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$31.24
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†‘ 1.8%
Sanford, NC
$942
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$17.34
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†“ 0.3%
Sanford, NC
$590
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$1.53
less

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$615
To$1,585
โ†‘ $970
1 Bed
From$697
To$1,685
โ†‘ $988
2 Bed
From$861
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,134
3 Bed
From$1,147
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,378
Austin, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,490โ€“$2,350/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

$6,667
Monthly in Sanford, NC
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,331
Difference

Home Values

Sanford
Austin
-
Median Value
$558K
-
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
-
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
-
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $7.1K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$594
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
4.7%
Rate difference

Sanford, 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
$0
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

Sanford, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%
Property Tax:0.8%

Austin, TX Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.8%

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

Environment

Sanford
Austin
46 Good
Air Quality
52 Moderate
63.7%
Good Air Days
42.6%
89 Moderate
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒ€๐ŸŒช
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
36 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
36 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

๐Ÿ’ฐ See how taxes change too โ€” compare take-home pay between North Carolina and Texas on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

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Similar cost to Austin, TX

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