Cost of Living: Austin vs Washington (2026)

Q: "Is Austin or Washington more expensive?"

"Washington is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 109 vs 98 — a 11% difference. Your money goes further in Austin."

Q: "How much is $100,000 in Austin worth in Washington?"

"About $111,031 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin."

Washington is about 11% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $111,031 in Washington.

Austin vs Washington: the numbers

Metric	Austin	Washington	Difference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)	98	109	+11%
Median rent	$1,655	$1,900	+15%
Median home value	$512,700	$724,600	+41%
Median household income	$91,461	$106,287	+16%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $111,031 in Washington. Going the other way, $100,000 in Washington is like $90,065 in Austin.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and Washington.

Compare any salary: Austin vs Washington

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin or Washington more expensive?

Washington is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 109 vs 98 — a 11% difference. Your money goes further in Austin.

How much is $100,000 in Austin worth in Washington?

About $111,031 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Austin.