Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Columbus, GA (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Columbus

Georgia
69

Austin is 94% more expensive than Columbus.

$1,655/mo ↑ 54%
Median Rent
$1,072/mo ↓ 35%
$91,461/yr ↑ 62%
Median Income
$56,622/yr ↓ 38%
$512,700 ↑ 181%
Home Value
$182,300 ↓ 64%
$1,747/mo ↑ 64%
Owner Costs
$1,064/mo ↓ 39%
967,862
Population
204,383

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.49%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
22.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Columbus, GA, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 69 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $583/month cheaper in Columbus, saving renters about $6,996/year.

Median household income is $34,839/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $182,300 in Columbus.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Georgia's 5.49% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Columbus — common questions

Is Austin or Columbus cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Columbus is cheaper to live in with an index of 69 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Columbus?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Columbus it's $1,072/month — a difference of $583/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Columbus?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $56,622 in Columbus. Median household income is $34,839/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Georgia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Georgia has 5.49% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Columbus?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Columbus has a cost index of 69 with rent of $1,072/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Columbus details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Austin and Columbus

Austin vs. San Jose Austin vs. Jacksonville Austin vs. Dallas Austin vs. Fort Worth Austin vs. San Diego Austin vs. Columbus Columbus vs. Worcester Columbus vs. Salt Lake City Columbus vs. Cape Coral Columbus vs. Little Rock Columbus vs. Yonkers Columbus vs. McKinney