What is the cost of living in Austin, TX?
According to the most recent data on the cost of living, Austin has an overall cost of living index of 124, which is 1.2x higher than the national index of 100.
Compared to Texas, Austin has a cost of living index that's 1.3x higher than Texas's index of 93.
The standard of living in Austin ranks as #379 most affordable out of the 419 places we measured in Texas. By definition, that implies Austin ranks as the #40 most expensive place in the Lone Star State.
For more reading on life in Austin, check out:
Austin Cost Of Living Vs. Texas
Six factors go into calculating the cost of living index in Austin. Here is how it fares on each of the criteria:
The Services index in Austin is 99.
The Groceries index in Austin is 101.
The Health index in Austin is 185.
The Housing index in Austin is 98.
The Transportation index in Austin is 109.
The Utilities index in Austin is 104.
| Living Expense | Austin | Texas | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 124 | 93 | 100 |
| Services | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Groceries | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Health | 185 | 81 | 100 |
| Housing | 98 | 97 | 100 |
| Transportation | 109 | 103 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 100 | 100 |
Austin Cost Of Living Compared To Texas Averages
Index where 100 = national average. Source: cost-of-living index 2026.
For more reading on cost of living around Texas, check out:
Protect your home budget Compare home warranties in Austin Get matched →Source: Cost-of-living index 2026, normalized to US average = 100
Austin, TX Housing Cost Breakdown
Housing swings affordability the most between places in Texas, so we broke down housing costs into more detail. Home and income data comes from the most recent US Census ACS 2020-2024. The key points are:
The Median Home Value in Austin is $508,530.
The Median Rent in Austin is $1,729.
The Median Income in Austin is $93,658.
The Home Value To Income in Austin is 5.4x.
The Rent To Monthly Income in Austin is 0.22x.
Austin, TX Costs By Category
Detailed Austin Services costs vs. Texas
Detailed Austin Groceries costs vs. Texas
Detailed Austin Health costs vs. Texas
Detailed Austin Transportation costs vs. Texas
Austin SnackAbility
Cost Of Living In Cities Around Austin
The cost of living varies in the cities and towns around Austin. Here's a quick look at the cost of living in the most populous nearby places:
Round Rock, TX has a cost of living index of 111, 0.9x Austin.
Cedar Park, TX has a cost of living index of 123, 1.0x Austin.
Leander, TX has a cost of living index of 116, 0.9x Austin.
| City | Population | Cost Of Living | Vs. Austin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Rock, TX | 127,786 | 111 | 0.9x |
| Cedar Park, TX | 78,301 | 123 | 1.0x |
| Leander, TX | 74,067 | 116 | 0.9x |
| Pflugerville, TX | 65,971 | 109 | 0.9x |
| Brushy Creek, TX | 19,576 | 121 | 1.0x |
| Lakeway, TX | 19,307 | 145 | 1.2x |
| Wells Branch, TX | 13,523 | 113 | 0.9x |
| Hornsby Bend, TX | 12,367 | 107 | 0.9x |
