Is Austin, TX cheaper than Wilmington, DE?

Based on cost of living data, Austin, TX is 9.1% more expensive than Wilmington, DE. This translates to spending an extra $683 per month.

What salary do I need in Austin, TX to live like I do in Wilmington, DE?

If you earn $150,000 in Wilmington, DE, you'd need approximately $158,201.95 in Austin, TX to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Wilmington, DE and Austin, TX?

Housing in Austin, TX is 48.6% more expensive than in Wilmington, DE. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,995/month in Austin, TX compared to $1,273/month in Wilmington, DE.

How much can I save per month by moving from Wilmington, DE to Austin, TX?

Living in Austin, TX costs approximately $683 more per month than Wilmington, DE, or $8202 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Wilmington, DE vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Wilmington, DE — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

Current salary in Wilmington, DE

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $683/month more in Austin, TX

$150.0K in your current city equals $158.2K in Austin, TX

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↑ 9.1%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$683

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$8.2K

Per year

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

Wilmington, DE

Population:72K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$205K

Austin, TX

Population:979K

Cost Index:109

Median Home:$558K

Wilmington, DE

The First State

72K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Delaware, this city has a population of 72K 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: Wilmington, DE vs Austin, TX

Category	Wilmington, DE	Austin, TX	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,942/mo	$2,885/mo	↑ $943more	48.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,066/mo	$959/mo	↓ $107less	10.0%
📦Other	$1,655/mo	$1,741/mo	↑ $85.80more	5.2%
⚡All Utilities	$586/mo	$541/mo	↓ $44.83less	7.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,325/mo	$1,284/mo	↓ $41.10less	3.1%
🏥Healthcare	$586/mo	$589/mo	↑ $2.18more	0.4%

🏠Housing

↑ 48.6%

Wilmington, DE

$1,942

Austin, TX

$2,885

Difference

$943

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.0%

Wilmington, DE

$1,066

Austin, TX

$959

Difference

$107

less

📦Other

↑ 5.2%

Wilmington, DE

$1,655

Austin, TX

$1,741

Difference

$85.80

⚡All Utilities

↓ 7.7%

Wilmington, DE

$586

Austin, TX

$541

Difference

$44.83

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 3.1%

Wilmington, DE

$1,325

Austin, TX

$1,284

Difference

$41.10

less

🏥Healthcare

↑ 0.4%

Wilmington, DE

$586

Austin, TX

$589

Difference

$2.18

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Wilmington, DE: Wilmington Earned Income Tax$1,875/yr (1.3%)

Austin, TX has no local income tax.

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$979

To$1,585

↑ $606

1 Bed

From$1,066

To$1,685

↑ $619

2 Bed

From$1,273

To$1,995

↑ $722

3 Bed

From$1,526

To$2,525

↑ $999

Wilmington, DEZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$1,460/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.

$7,161

Monthly in Wilmington, DE

$7,998

Monthly in Austin, TX

$838

Difference

Home Values

Wilmington

Austin

$205K

Median Value

$558K

↑ +2.5%

YoY Change

↓ -5%

↑ +38.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +12.6%

$175K - $340K

Price Range

$272K - $1.26M

Homes in Austin are 172% more expensive than Wilmington

Calculate payment - Wilmington Calculate payment - Austin

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $8.9K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$740

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.9%

Rate difference

Wilmington, DE

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Delaware State Tax

Effective: 5.9%

$8.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.6%

$45.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,675/month

$104.1K

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

Wilmington, DE Tax Rates

Sales Tax:0.0%

Property Tax:0.6%

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.