City comparison
Washington vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Austin (116.9).
Washington Index
142.9
Austin Index
116.9
Washington Rent
$3,800
Austin Rent
$2,675
Washington Home price
$705,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$97,348
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 146 | -55.0 (-27.4%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 103 | -14.0 (-12.0%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 102 | -7.0 (-6.4%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 99 | -12.0 (-10.8%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 98 | -6.0 (-5.8%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 104 | -14.0 (-11.9%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $5,310
Washington / Austin
Couple
$11,160 / $8,810
Washington / Austin
Family
$15,720 / $12,430
Washington / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.