Austin vs Seattle
Cost of Living (2026)

Austin is 36% less expensive than Seattle.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110 ✓
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo ✓
Median home price$520K ✓
VS

Seattle, WA

COL index150
State income taxNone
Avg 1BR rent$2,200/mo
Median home price$780K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexSeattle indexDifference
Housing144 ✓198+54%
Groceries104 ✓141+37%
Transportation105 ✓140+35%
Healthcare107 ✓145+38%
Utilities104 ✓135+31%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → Seattle

What salary in Seattle gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in SeattleDifference
$60,000$82,000+$22,000
$80,000$109,000+$29,000
$100,000$136,000+$36,000
$130,000$177,000+$47,000
$150,000$205,000+$55,000
$200,000$273,000+$73,000

Austin vs Seattle: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, Austin comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 110 versus 150 for Seattle — a difference of approximately 36%.

State income tax impact

Both Texas and Washington have no state income tax, so that factor is neutral in this comparison.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $780,000 in Seattle. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $2,200/month in Seattle.

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