Texas · Population 967,862 · Updated March 2026
How far your income goes in Austin
State-level tax rates that affect your costs
Austin has a significantly higher cost of living than most US cities, driven largely by premium housing costs. With a cost index of 134 (where 100 equals the national median), Austin residents can expect to pay median rent of $1,655/month while earning a median household income of $91,461/year.
The median home value in Austin, TX is $512,700, with typical monthly owner costs around $1,747 including mortgage, insurance, and taxes. The median rent-to-income ratio of 21.7% means housing is relatively affordable here — well below the 30% threshold that HUD considers cost-burdened.
Texas has no state income tax, which can represent significant savings compared to high-tax states. Combined with a 6.25% sales tax rate and 1.6% effective property tax rate, the overall tax environment helps keep costs manageable in Austin.
Common questions about living costs in Austin