Texas Cost of Living Calculator
2026Compare cost of living in Texas to other US states and cities. See equivalent salary needed when relocating.
Written and reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Methodology · Updated
Equivalent Salary Needed
$168,468.47
Difference
+$68,468.47
Cost Difference
+68.47%
Cost of Living Comparison
| Austin, TX Index | 111 |
| New York, NY Index | 187 |
| National Average | 100 |
| Your Current Salary | $100,000.00 |
| Equivalent in New York, NY | $168,468.47 |
| You would need more | $68,468.47 |
Breakdown by Category (Annual)
| Housing | +133.33% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $40,000.00 |
| Target (New York, NY) | $93,333.33 |
| Food & Groceries | +20.00% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $15,000.00 |
| Target (New York, NY) | $18,000.00 |
| Transportation | +30.00% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $15,000.00 |
| Target (New York, NY) | $19,500.00 |
| Healthcare | +9.52% |
| Current (Austin, TX) | $10,000.00 |
| Target (New York, NY) | $10,952.38 |
Cost of living indices are approximate and based on aggregate data. Individual expenses may vary significantly. Housing costs tend to have the largest impact when moving between cities.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
What's the cost of living like in Texas?
Understanding the cost of living in Texas means looking at taxes, housing, and everyday expenses together. Texas has no state income tax, which can significantly boost take-home pay compared to jurisdictions that do. The average property tax rate is 1.68%, and the state sales tax rate is 6.25%.
Cost of living varies dramatically across Texas — metropolitan areas, especially state capitals and major employment centers, typically run 10–30% above small-town and rural rates. Housing is by far the largest single component of any cost-of-living index, accounting for 30–35% of total expenditure for most households, followed by transportation (~15%), food (~12%), and healthcare (~8%).
When comparing cities, watch the headline COL index but also check housing-affordability separately: a 110-index city may have an outsized 140 housing index that dominates the average. Texas's lack of state income tax is a notable affordability advantage when comparing salaries against income-tax states. Use this calculator to translate a salary in one city into the equivalent purchasing power in another.
Texas cost-of-living context: BEA index, income, and metro highlights
- BEA Regional Price Parity (2024)
- 92.6 (US average = 100)
- Median household income (2024)
- $73,370
- Median 2-bedroom rent (Q4 2025)
- $1,660/month
- Major metro area
- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington MSA (8.1M)
- Largest non-government employer
- Walmart Stores (180,000+ employees in TX)
Texas's cost-of-living index of 92.6 averages across vast diversity — Austin median rent is $1,750 (down from peak $2,000 in 2022), Houston $1,500, San Antonio $1,300, Dallas $1,650, El Paso $1,100. TX has no state income tax — among just nine such states — but property taxes are among the country's highest (~1.68% effective rate) and homeowners insurance averages $4,400/year (high due to wind and hail risk). Texas Prop 4 (2023) raised the school-district homestead exemption to $100K, reducing typical bills by $1,000+ annually. Energy costs are moderate.
Texas Cost Snapshot (2026)
| Avg. Property Tax Rate | 1.68% |
| State Sales Tax Rate | 6.25% |
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr |
| State Income Tax | No state income tax |
| State Disability Insurance (SDI) | No |
| Estate / Inheritance Tax | No |
Texas cost of living — frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Texas in 2026?
Texas has a cost-of-living index of 92.6 in 2026 — well below the national average. Austin median rent runs $1,750 (down from a 2022 peak of $2,000), Houston $1,500, San Antonio $1,300, Dallas $1,650, and El Paso $1,100. Texas has no state income tax, but property tax effective rates average ~1.68% — among the highest in the country — and homeowners insurance averages $4,400/year due to wind, hail, and hurricane exposure on the Gulf Coast.
Is Texas really cheaper than California?
Yes for most households. A $100,000 single filer in Texas keeps roughly $7,000-$9,000 more annually than the same earner in California (no state income tax versus California's 9.3% bracket). Texas median home prices ($360K) run roughly half of California's ($770K). However, Texas property taxes average 1.68% versus California's 0.71% — partially offsetting savings — and Prop 4 (2023) raised the school-district homestead exemption to $100,000 to ease the burden.
What is a comfortable salary in Texas?
MIT's Living Wage for a single adult in Texas runs $36,000-$44,000 pre-tax in 2026 depending on metro. With no state income tax, an $80,000 gross salary nets roughly $5,200/month after federal tax and FICA — comfortable in San Antonio, El Paso, or Lubbock and adequate in Austin or DFW. Family-of-four comfort typically requires $95,000-$120,000 gross to absorb $4,400/year homeowners insurance, ~1.68% property tax, and 8.25% combined sales tax.