Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Greensboro, NC (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Greensboro

North Carolina
76

Austin is 76% more expensive than Greensboro.

$1,655/mo ↑ 49%
Median Rent
$1,114/mo ↓ 33%
$91,461/yr ↑ 55%
Median Income
$58,884/yr ↓ 36%
$512,700 ↑ 132%
Home Value
$221,300 ↓ 57%
$1,747/mo ↑ 58%
Owner Costs
$1,107/mo ↓ 37%
967,862
Population
298,564

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
4.5%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

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

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Greensboro, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 76 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $541/month cheaper in Greensboro, saving renters about $6,492/year.

Median household income is $32,577/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $221,300 in Greensboro.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over North Carolina's 4.5% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Greensboro — common questions

Is Austin or Greensboro cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Greensboro is cheaper to live in with an index of 76 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Greensboro?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Greensboro it's $1,114/month — a difference of $541/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Greensboro?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $58,884 in Greensboro. Median household income is $32,577/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between Texas and North Carolina?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Greensboro?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Greensboro has a cost index of 76 with rent of $1,114/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Greensboro details →

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