Quick answer
Austin is 29% cheaper than Seattle overall. A $100K salary in Austin is equivalent to $129,000 in Seattle.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Seattle 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 29% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+27% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$129,000
Austin vs Seattle: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,650/mo
$2,100/mo
+27%
2BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$2,750/mo
+31%
Median home price
$548K
$780K
+42%
Avg monthly groceries
$380
$430
+13%
Avg monthly utilities
$175
$130
-26%
State income tax
None
None
—
Walk score
41/100
74/100
Seattle better
Transit score
34/100
59/100
Seattle better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same standard of living as your current Austin salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$77,000
$47,000
$80,000
$103,000
$62,000
$100,000
$129,000
$78,000
$120,000
$154,000
$93,000
$150,000
$193,000
$117,000
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 Seattle
Who Each City Is Best For
Austin is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓young professionals
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓musicians
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
FAQs
Is Austin or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Austin is 29% cheaper than Seattle overall. Austin 1BR rent ($1,650/mo) vs Seattle ($2,100/mo). Median home price: Austin $548K vs Seattle $780K.
How much salary do I need in Seattle to match $100K in Austin?
$129,000 in Seattle is equivalent to $100,000 in Austin based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+27% difference) and state taxes (Austin: None vs Seattle: None).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Seattle?
1BR: Austin $1,650/mo vs Seattle $2,100/mo (+27%). 2BR: Austin $2,100/mo vs Seattle $2,750/mo (+31%).
Does Austin or Seattle have lower taxes?
Austin (TX) has None state income tax. Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$0.