Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Meridian, ID (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Meridian

Idaho
131

Austin is 2% more expensive than Meridian.

$1,655/mo ↓ 3%
Median Rent
$1,714/mo ↑ 4%
$91,461/yr ↓ 7%
Median Income
$98,686/yr ↑ 8%
$512,700 ↑ 6%
Home Value
$485,000 ↓ 5%
$1,747/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$1,607/mo ↓ 8%
967,862
Population
124,865

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
5.8%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Meridian, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 131 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $59/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $708/year.

Median household income is $7,225/year higher in Meridian. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $485,000 in Meridian.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over Idaho's 5.8% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Meridian — common questions

Is Austin or Meridian cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Meridian is cheaper to live in with an index of 131 compared to 134 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Meridian?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Meridian it's $1,714/month — a difference of $59/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Meridian?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $98,686 in Meridian. Median household income is $7,225/year higher in Meridian.
How do taxes compare between Texas and Idaho?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Meridian?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Meridian has a cost index of 131 with rent of $1,714/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Meridian details →

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