Is Austin, TX cheaper than Sugar Land, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 14.3% more expensive than Sugar Land, TX. This translates to spending an extra $1074 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Sugar Land, TX, you'd need approximately $162,889.414 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Sugar Land, TX and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 56.7% more expensive than in Sugar Land, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,730/month in Sugar Land, TX.

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

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1074 more per month than Sugar Land, TX, or $12889 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Sugar Land, TX vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Sugar Land, TX — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Houston, TX area

Current salary in Sugar Land, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.1K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.9K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX area

Overall Cost

↑ 14.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,074

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$12.9K

Per year

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

Sugar Land, TX

Population:109K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$477K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:114

Median Home:$558K

Sugar Land, TX

The Lone Star State

109K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 109K 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: Sugar Land, TX vs Austin, TX

Category	Sugar Land, TX	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,841/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $1,044more	56.7%
📦Other	$1,650/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $90.52more	5.5%
🛒Groceries	$881/mo	$959/mo	↑ $78.72more	8.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,353/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $69.12less	5.1%
🏥Healthcare	$543/mo	$589/mo	↑ $45.61more	8.4%
⚡All Utilities	$534/mo	$541/mo	↑ $7.17more	1.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 56.7%

Sugar Land, TX

$1,841

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$1,044

📦Other

↑ 5.5%

Sugar Land, TX

$1,650

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$90.52

🛒Groceries

↑ 8.9%

Sugar Land, TX

$881

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$78.72

🚗Transportation

↓ 5.1%

Sugar Land, TX

$1,353

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$69.12

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 8.4%

Sugar Land, TX

$543

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$45.61

⚡All Utilities

↑ 1.3%

Sugar Land, TX

$534

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$7.17

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,409

To$1,585

↑ $176

1 Bed

From$1,452

To$1,685

↑ $233

2 Bed

From$1,730

To$1,995

↑ $265

3 Bed

From$2,325

To$2,525

↑ $200

Sugar Land, TXZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,680–$1,980/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.

$6,802

Monthly in Sugar Land, TX

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,197

Difference

Home Values

Sugar Land

Austin

$477K

Median Value

$558K

↓ -0.3%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +36.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$421K - $533K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 17% more expensive than Sugar Land

Calculate payment - Sugar Land 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

Sugar Land, 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

Sugar Land, 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.