Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Washington, DC (2026)

Austin

Texas
134
VS

Washington

District of Columbia
171

Austin is 22% cheaper than Washington.

$1,655/mo ↓ 13%
Median Rent
$1,900/mo ↑ 15%
$91,461/yr ↓ 14%
Median Income
$106,287/yr ↑ 16%
$512,700 ↓ 29%
Home Value
$724,600 ↑ 41%
$1,747/mo ↓ 17%
Owner Costs
$2,103/mo ↑ 20%
967,862
Population
672,079

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.75%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
0.56%

Affordability

21.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Austin, TX and Washington, DC, the overall cost of living indices are 134 and 171 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $245/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $2,940/year.

Median household income is $14,826/year higher in Washington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Austin is $512,700 compared to $724,600 in Washington.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over District of Columbia's 10.75% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Austin vs Washington — common questions

Is Austin or Washington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 171 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Washington?
Median rent in Austin is $1,655/month and in Washington it's $1,900/month — a difference of $245/month.
Which city has higher income, Austin or Washington?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin and $106,287 in Washington. Median household income is $14,826/year higher in Washington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and District of Columbia?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. District of Columbia has 10.75% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.56% property tax.
Should I move to Austin or Washington?
It depends on your priorities. Austin has a cost index of 134 with median rent of $1,655/mo, while Washington has a cost index of 171 with rent of $1,900/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Austin details → View Washington details →

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