City comparison
Austin vs Seattle Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Austin (116.9) and Seattle (137.2).
Austin Index
116.9
Seattle Index
137.2
Austin Rent
$2,675
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Austin Home price
$484,000
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Austin to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Seattle.
Equivalent salary in Seattle
$110,323
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Austin and Seattle.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Austin | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 146 | 184 | +38.0 (+26.0%) |
| Groceries | 103 | 118 | +15.0 (+14.6%) |
| Transportation | 102 | 113 | +11.0 (+10.8%) |
| Healthcare | 99 | 109 | +10.0 (+10.1%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 103 | +5.0 (+5.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 104 | 116 | +12.0 (+11.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,310 / $6,410
Austin / Seattle
Couple
$8,810 / $10,640
Austin / Seattle
Family
$12,430 / $15,000
Austin / Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.