Quick answer
Austin is 33% cheaper than Raleigh overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $133,000 in Raleigh.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Raleigh Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Austin is 33% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-10% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$133,000
Austin vs Raleigh: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$1,480/mo
-10%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,860/mo
-11%
Median home price
$548K
$420K
-23%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$350
-8%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$145
-17%
State income tax
None
4.5%
Austin saves
Walk score
41/100
34/100
Austin better
Transit score
34/100
25/100
Austin better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Raleigh to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$80,000
$45,000
$80,000
$106,000
$60,000
$100,000
$133,000
$75,000
$120,000
$160,000
$90,000
$150,000
$200,000
$113,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Austin vs Raleigh
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
FAQs
Is Austin or Raleigh cheaper to live in?
Austin is 33% cheaper than Raleigh overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs Raleigh ($1,480/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs Raleigh $420K.
How much salary do I need in Raleigh to match $100K in Austin?
$133,000 in Raleigh is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-10% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs Raleigh: 4.5%).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Raleigh?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs Raleigh $1,480/mo (-10%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs Raleigh $1,860/mo (-11%).
Does Austin or Raleigh have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,500.