Is Austin, TX cheaper than The Woodlands, TX?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 14.2% more expensive than The Woodlands, TX. This translates to spending an extra $1066 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in The Woodlands, TX, you'd need approximately $162,797.003 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between The Woodlands, TX and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 56.6% more expensive than in The Woodlands, TX. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,072/month in The Woodlands, TX.

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

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $1066 more per month than The Woodlands, TX, or $12797 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

The Woodlands, TX vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 The Woodlands, TX — COL adjusted from Houston, TX area + state data

Current salary in The Woodlands, TX

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $162.8K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↑ 14.2%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,066

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$12.8K

Per year

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

The Woodlands, TX

Population:114K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$245K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:114

Median Home:$558K

The Woodlands, TX

The Lone Star State

114K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Texas, this city has a population of 114K 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: The Woodlands, TX vs Austin, TX

Category	The Woodlands, TX	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,842/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $1,042more	56.6%
📦Other	$1,652/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $89.03more	5.4%
🛒Groceries	$881/mo	$959/mo	↑ $78.32more	8.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,354/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $70.33less	5.2%
🏥Healthcare	$543/mo	$589/mo	↑ $45.36more	8.4%
⚡All Utilities	$534/mo	$541/mo	↑ $6.93more	1.3%

🏠Housing

↑ 56.6%

The Woodlands, TX

$1,842

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$1,042

📦Other

↑ 5.4%

The Woodlands, TX

$1,652

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$89.03

🛒Groceries

↑ 8.9%

The Woodlands, TX

$881

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$78.32

🚗Transportation

↓ 5.2%

The Woodlands, TX

$1,354

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$70.33

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 8.4%

The Woodlands, TX

$543

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$45.36

⚡All Utilities

↑ 1.3%

The Woodlands, TX

$534

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$6.93

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$755

To$1,585

↑ $830

1 Bed

From$874

To$1,685

↑ $811

2 Bed

From$1,072

To$1,995

↑ $923

3 Bed

From$1,469

To$2,525

↑ $1,056

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.

$6,807

Monthly in The Woodlands, TX

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$1,191

Difference

Home Values

The Woodlands

Austin

Median Value

$558K

YoY Change

↓ -5%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

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

The Woodlands, 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

The Woodlands, 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.