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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Wilkes-Barre, PA โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

$

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $1.4K/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $166.5K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†‘ 18.4%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$1,377
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$16.5K
Per year

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

Wilkes-Barre, PA

Population:44K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$179K

Austin, TX

Population:979K
Cost Index:118
Median Home:$558K

Wilkes-Barre, PA

The Keystone State

44K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 44K 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: Wilkes-Barre, PA vs Austin, TX

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†‘ 61.2%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,790
Austin, TX
$2,885
Difference
$1,095
more
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†‘ 14.1%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,526
Austin, TX
$1,741
Difference
$215
more
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†“ 6.3%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,024
Austin, TX
$959
Difference
$64.61
less
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†‘ 5.1%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$1,222
Austin, TX
$1,284
Difference
$62.48
more
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†‘ 4.5%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$563
Austin, TX
$589
Difference
$25.56
more
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 3.8%
Wilkes-Barre, PA
$562
Austin, TX
$541
Difference
$21.47
less

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

Wilkes-Barre, PA: Wilkes-Barre Earned Income Tax$4,500/yr (3.0%)

Austin, TX has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$581
To$1,585
โ†‘ $1,004
1 Bed
From$694
To$1,685
โ†‘ $991
2 Bed
From$844
To$1,995
โ†‘ $1,151
3 Bed
From$1,100
To$2,525
โ†‘ $1,425
Wilkes-Barre, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $890โ€“$1,010/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.

$6,687
Monthly in Wilkes-Barre, PA
$7,998
Monthly in Austin, TX
$1,312
Difference

Home Values

Wilkes-Barre
Austin
$179K
Median Value
$558K
โ†‘ +7.2%
YoY Change
โ†“ -5%
โ†‘ +67.2%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +12.6%
$179K - $180K
Price Range
$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 211% more expensive than Wilkes-Barre

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

Wilkes-Barre, 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

Wilkes-Barre, 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

Wilkes-Barre
Austin
52 Moderate
Air Quality
52 Moderate
47.3%
Good Air Days
42.6%
100 Very High
Climate Risk
98 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒ…๐ŸŒ€
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐ŸŒช
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
22 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
98 days
โ–ฒ+2.9ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+2.5ยฐF
22 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

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