City comparison
Seattle vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Seattle (137.2) and Austin (116.9).
Seattle Index
137.2
Austin Index
116.9
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Austin Rent
$2,675
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Seattle to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$96,281
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Seattle and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Seattle | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 184 | 146 | -38.0 (-20.7%) |
| Groceries | 118 | 103 | -15.0 (-12.7%) |
| Transportation | 113 | 102 | -11.0 (-9.7%) |
| Healthcare | 109 | 99 | -10.0 (-9.2%) |
| Utilities | 103 | 98 | -5.0 (-4.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 116 | 104 | -12.0 (-10.3%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,410 / $5,310
Seattle / Austin
Couple
$10,640 / $8,810
Seattle / Austin
Family
$15,000 / $12,430
Seattle / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.