The numbers, side by side
| Metric | Seattle | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index | 147 | 121 | -26 |
| 1-bed rent (avg) | $2,100 | $1,700 | -$400 |
| 2-bed rent (avg) | $2,700 | $2,200 | -$500 |
| Median household income | $78,340 | $71,349 | -$6,991 |
| Population | 753,675 | 978,908 | +225,233 |
What salary you'd need in Austin
To maintain your Seattle purchasing power, here's what you'd need to earn in Austin.
Seattle vs Austin: which makes more sense for you?
On paper, Seattle's cost-of-living index of 147 runs roughly 17.7% higher than Austin's 121. But that headline number papers over real differences in how that cost is distributed — rent might be far more expensive while groceries and transit costs run closer to even.
The rent gap
A 1-bedroom apartment in Seattle averages $2,100/month, vs $1,700/month in Austin — a -$400 difference. For 2-bedrooms, the gap widens to -$500/month. Over a year, the rent difference alone is $4,800 on a 1-bed.
Income context
Median household income in Seattle is $78,340, while Austin runs $71,349 (-$6,991 difference). That matters for how the cost-of-living gap actually feels day-to-day — if local salaries are also higher, the cost difference washes out partly. If local salaries lag the cost-of-living gap, your paycheck buys noticeably less.
State tax differences
Seattle is in Washington and Austin is in Texas, so you'll also pick up a state-tax difference. Tax-free states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, and Nevada deliver real take-home upside even when nominal salaries are similar.