Cost of living index
Austin, TX
98.1 / 100
Living in Austin, TX is 1.9% cheaper than the US average.
Overall prices
98.1
Housing / rent
120.4
vs US average
−1.9%
What it costs to live in Austin, TX
Austin, TX has an overall price level of 98.1 compared with the national average of 100, meaning everyday costs run about 1.9% lower than a typical US metro. Housing tells the sharper story: at 120.4 it is 20.4% above the national average. Because rent and mortgage payments are the biggest line in most household budgets, that housing figure is usually what you’ll feel most when you move here.
Common questions
Is Austin, TX an expensive place to live?
Austin, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.1, where 100 is the US average. That makes it about 1.9% cheaper than the country as a whole.
Is housing expensive in Austin, TX?
Housing in Austin, TX scores 120.4 against a US average of 100 — roughly 20.4% above average. Housing is usually the largest single cost, so it drives most of the overall difference.
How does Austin, TX compare to the US average cost of living?
Overall prices in Austin, TX sit at 98.1 versus 100 for the US average, with housing at 120.4. Figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis for 2024.