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Seattle vs Austin

Austin runs about 19% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 806 USD a month.

The Seattle skyline at dusk as viewed from the Jose Rizal Bridge. In the foreground is the Interstate 5 in Washington.
Seattle
$4,162/month · United States
Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0
The skyline of Austin, the capital city of Texas. With a population of 961,855, it's the 13th-most populous city in the U.S.
Austin
$3,356/month · United States
Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
Austin monthly
$3,356
Index 53 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-19%
Austin relative to Seattle
Rent gap
$577
Seattle costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SeattleAustin
  • Housing
    Housing: Seattle $2,020, Austin $1,443. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Food
    Food: Seattle $849, Austin $755. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Transport
    Transport: Seattle $189, Austin $114. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Seattle $227, Austin $235. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Seattle $537, Austin $513. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Seattle $181, Austin $154. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Other
    Other: Seattle $159, Austin $142. Cheaper in Austin.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricSeattleAustin
Cost
Total monthly cost4,162 USD3,356 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6553✓
Housing2,020 USD1,443 USD✓
Utilities227 USD✓235 USD
Food849 USD755 USD✓
Transport189 USD114 USD✓
Healthcare537 USD513 USD✓
Lifestyle181 USD154 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,575 USD6,575 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.1%21.1%
Left over each month2,413 USD3,219 USD✓
Average local net salary5,800 USD✓4,700 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,020 USD1,443 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,856 USD2,623 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre8,000 USD4,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety58/10062/100✓
Healthcare86/100✓78/100
Air quality78/100✓70/100
Public transport68/100✓32/100
Walkability74/100✓45/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife76/10082/100✓
Family friendliness70/10074/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps280 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓21°C
Summer high26°C✓35°C
Winter low2°C4°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,170 h2,650 h✓
Annual rainfall950 mm870 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min✓None nearby
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Chicago

Austin runs about 19% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 806 USD a month.

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Cost of living in SeattleCost of living in AustinConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Seattle vs ChicagoSeattle vs VancouverSeattle vs Toronto
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Seattle or Austin cheaper?

Austin runs about 19% cheaper than Seattle for this household, a difference of 806 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Austin compared with Seattle?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,575 a month in Seattle and $6,575 in Austin, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Seattle or Austin?

Seattle scores 58/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Austin scores 62 and 78. Seattle averages 12°C against 21°C in Austin.