Is Austin, TX cheaper than St. Charles, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 6.6% more expensive than St. Charles, IL. This translates to spending an extra $495 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in St. Charles, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in St. Charles, IL, you'd need approximately $155,942.989 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between St. Charles, IL and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 16.9% more expensive than in St. Charles, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,839/month in St. Charles, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from St. Charles, IL to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $495 more per month than St. Charles, IL, or $5943 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

St. Charles, IL vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 St. Charles, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in St. Charles, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $495/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $155.9K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI area

Overall Cost

↑ 6.6%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$495

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$5.9K

Per year

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

St. Charles, IL

Population:33K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$509K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:107

Median Home:$558K

St. Charles, IL

The Prairie State

33K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 33K 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: St. Charles, IL vs Austin, TX

Category	St. Charles, IL	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,467/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $418more	16.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,502/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $218less	14.5%
📦Other	$1,571/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $170more	10.8%
⚡All Utilities	$491/mo	$541/mo	↑ $50.19more	10.2%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$589/mo	↑ $26.27more	4.7%
🛒Groceries	$973/mo	$959/mo	↓ $13.76less	1.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 16.9%

St. Charles, IL

$2,467

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$418

🚗Transportation

↓ 14.5%

St. Charles, IL

$1,502

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$218

less

📦Other

↑ 10.8%

St. Charles, IL

$1,571

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$170

⚡All Utilities

↑ 10.2%

St. Charles, IL

$491

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$50.19

🏥Healthcare

↑ 4.7%

St. Charles, IL

$562

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$26.27

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.4%

St. Charles, IL

$973

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$13.76

less

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,527

To$1,585

↑ $58.00

1 Bed

From$1,633

To$1,685

↑ $52.00

2 Bed

From$1,839

To$1,995

↑ $156

3 Bed

From$2,367

To$2,525

↑ $158

St. Charles, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,930–$2,370/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.

$7,566

Monthly in St. Charles, IL

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$433

Difference

Home Values

St. Charles

Austin

$509K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +4.8%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +45.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$411K - $608K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 10% more expensive than St. Charles

Calculate payment - St. Charles 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

St. Charles, 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

St. Charles, 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.