City vs city
Seattle vs Austin
$100,000 in Seattle buys a lifestyle closer to $83,000 in Austin, because Austin's cost-of-living index is 119 versus 144.
Seattle
No state income tax, high wages, and high housing. Take-home stretches further than in California at the same salary.
- COL index
- 144
- Typical 1-bed
- $2,300/mo
- Comfortable salary
- $122,000
- $100k take-home
- $79,180
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