Moving from Houston to Austin?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your Houston lifestyle in Austin, you'd need to earn:
$74,620/year
▼ $380 less than you make now
| Category | Houston | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $74,620 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$8,030 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$4,626 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,082 |
| State Tax | -$0 | -$0 |
| Take-Home Pay | $61,149 | $60,881 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is -0.5% in Austin
- Housing is +15.2% in Austin
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~146 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: Houston to Austin
| Your Houston Salary | Austin Equivalent | Difference | Austin Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $39,797 | -$203 | $34,015 |
| $50,000 | $49,746 | -$254 | $42,009 |
| $60,000 | $59,696 | -$304 | $50,004 |
| $75,000 | $74,620 | -$380 | $60,881 |
| $100,000 | $99,493 | -$507 | $78,379 |
| $150,000 | $149,239 | -$761 | $112,758 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How Houston and Austin Compare
Housing (15% more expensive in Austin)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Austin rents for $1,549/month compared to $1,129/month in Houston. Median home prices: $400,000 in Austin vs $335,000 in Houston.
Taxes
Texas has no state income tax. Texas has no state income tax.
Overall Cost of Living
Austin's overall cost of living is 0.5% lower than Houston, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).Houston: 98.6, Austin: 98.1.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your Houston to Austin move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Austin
Average 1BR rent in Austin: $1,549/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
Compare Savings Rates →