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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ State College, PA โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Pittsburgh, PA area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $164.8K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 16.5%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,237
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$14.8K
Per year

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

State College, PA

Population:41K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$398K

Austin, TX

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

State College, PA

The Keystone State

41K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 41K 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: State College, PA vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 65.5%
State College, PA
$1,743
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$1,142
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 9.1%
State College, PA
$1,596
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$145
more
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 6.3%
State College, PA
$1,208
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$76.33
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 12.1%
State College, PA
$525
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$63.70
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 10.5%
State College, PA
$605
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$63.56
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†“ 2.7%
State College, PA
$986
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$26.71
less

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$1,098
To$1,585
โ†‘ $487
1 Bed
From$1,106
To$1,685
โ†‘ $579
2 Bed
From$1,305
To$1,995
โ†‘ $690
3 Bed
From$1,634
To$2,525
โ†‘ $891
State College, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,280โ€“$1,340/mo

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.

$6,662
Monthly in State College, PA
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,336
Difference

Home Values

State College
Austin
$398K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +0.8%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +22.2%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$394K - $402K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 40% more expensive than State College

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†‘ $4.6K
Per year
Monthly Difference
$384
More take-home
Effective Rate Diff
3.1%
Rate difference

State College, PA

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Pennsylvania State Tax
Effective: 3.1%
$4.6K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 27.7%
$41.6K
Take-Home Pay
$9,032/month
$108.4K

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

State College, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%
Property Tax:1.4%

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

State College
Austin
52 Moderate
Air Quality
52 Moderate
47.8%
Good Air Days
42.6%
98 High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒช๐Ÿ’จ
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
12 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
12 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days

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

Where your money goes further

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