City comparison
Austin vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Austin (116.9) and Washington (142.9).
Austin Index
116.9
Washington Index
142.9
Austin Rent
$2,675
Washington Rent
$3,800
Austin Home price
$484,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Austin to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$114,907
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Austin and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Austin | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 146 | 201 | +55.0 (+37.7%) |
| Groceries | 103 | 117 | +14.0 (+13.6%) |
| Transportation | 102 | 109 | +7.0 (+6.9%) |
| Healthcare | 99 | 111 | +12.0 (+12.1%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 104 | +6.0 (+6.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 104 | 118 | +14.0 (+13.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,310 / $6,720
Austin / Washington
Couple
$8,810 / $11,160
Austin / Washington
Family
$12,430 / $15,720
Austin / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.