City vs city
Chicago vs Austin
$100,000 in Chicago buys a lifestyle closer to $107,000 in Austin, because Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 versus 111.
Chicago
Big-city wages and transit without coastal housing prices. Illinois flat tax plus property taxes matter.
- COL index
- 111
- Typical 1-bed
- $1,850/mo
- Comfortable salary
- $94,000
- $100k take-home
- $74,375
Austin
No state income tax. Rents fell from the 2022 peak but remain above most Texas metros.
- COL index
- 119
- Typical 1-bed
- $1,650/mo
- Comfortable salary
- $101,000
- $100k take-home
- $79,180
More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego