Cost of Living: New York, NY vs Austin, TX (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

Austin

Texas
134

New York is 24% more expensive than Austin.

$1,779/mo ↑ 7%
Median Rent
$1,655/mo ↓ 7%
$79,713/yr ↓ 13%
Median Income
$91,461/yr ↑ 15%
$751,700 ↑ 47%
Home Value
$512,700 ↓ 32%
$1,837/mo ↑ 5%
Owner Costs
$1,747/mo ↓ 5%
8,516,202
Population
967,862

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
0%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
1.62%
Property Tax
1.6%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and Austin, TX, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 134 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $124/month cheaper in Austin, saving renters about $1,488/year.

Median household income is $11,748/year higher in Austin. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $512,700 in Austin.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin residents a significant tax advantage over New York's 10.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs Austin — common questions

Is New York or Austin cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Austin is cheaper to live in with an index of 134 compared to 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and Austin?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in Austin it's $1,655/month — a difference of $124/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or Austin?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $91,461 in Austin. Median household income is $11,748/year higher in Austin.
How do taxes compare between New York and Texas?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax.
Should I move to New York or Austin?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/mo, while Austin has a cost index of 134 with rent of $1,655/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View New York details → View Austin details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for New York and Austin

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