New York City vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

Austin is 41% more affordable than New York City. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs New York's 6.85%.

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At a glance

New York City, NY

COL index187
State income tax6.85%
Avg 1BR rent$3,400/mo
Median home price$750K
VS

Austin, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryNew York City indexAustin indexDifference
Housing247144 ✓-103%
Groceries175104 ✓-71%
Transportation173105 ✓-68%
Healthcare180107 ✓-73%
Utilities164104 ✓-60%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost. How we calculate this →

Salary equivalency: New York City → Austin

What salary in Austin gives you the same purchasing power as your New York City salary?

Salary in New York CityEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$32,000$-28,000
$80,000$42,000$-38,000
$100,000$53,000$-47,000
$130,000$69,000$-61,000
$150,000$80,000$-70,000
$200,000$106,000$-94,000

New York City vs Austin: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between New York City, NY and Austin, TX, Austin comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 110 versus 187 for New York City — a difference of approximately 41%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin workers an immediate 6.85% take-home pay advantage over New York City workers who pay New York's 6.85% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in New York City is $750,000, compared to $520,000 in Austin. Average 1-bedroom rent is $3,400/month in New York City versus $1,650/month in Austin.

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