City comparison
Phoenix vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Phoenix (113.5) and Austin (116.9).
Phoenix Index
113.5
Austin Index
116.9
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Austin Rent
$2,675
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Phoenix to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$93,726
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Phoenix and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Phoenix | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 136 | 146 | +10.0 (+7.4%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 103 | +2.0 (+2.0%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 102 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 99 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 98 | -10.0 (-9.3%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 104 | +3.0 (+3.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,160 / $5,310
Phoenix / Austin
Couple
$8,570 / $8,810
Phoenix / Austin
Family
$12,070 / $12,430
Phoenix / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
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.