Seattle vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

Austin is 27% more affordable than Seattle.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Seattle, WA

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

Austin, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySeattle indexAustin indexDifference
Housing198144 ✓-54%
Groceries141104 ✓-37%
Transportation140105 ✓-35%
Healthcare145107 ✓-38%
Utilities135104 ✓-31%

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

Salary equivalency: Seattle → Austin

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

Salary in SeattleEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$44,000$-16,000
$80,000$59,000$-21,000
$100,000$73,000$-27,000
$130,000$95,000$-35,000
$150,000$110,000$-40,000
$200,000$147,000$-53,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, Austin comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 110 versus 150 for Seattle — a difference of approximately 27%.

State income tax impact

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

Housing costs

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

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