Cost of Living: Austin, TX vs Phoenix, AZ
Austin is about 5% cheaper than Phoenix overall.
Comparing Austin, TX and Phoenix, AZ across cost of living, rent, income, and the salary needed to live comfortably. Austin has a lower overall price level, driven mainly by housing.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Austin | Phoenix |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 98.1 | 103.3 |
| Median rent | $1,655 | $1,458 |
| Rent, 1-bedroom (FMR) | $1,562 | $1,583 |
| Rent, 2-bedroom (FMR) | $1,852 | $1,839 |
| Median home value | $512,700 | $381,900 |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $77,041 |
| Salary needed (single) | $62,500 | $63,300 |
| Salary needed (family) | $93,900 | $98,100 |
Green highlights the more favorable value for each metric. Lower is better for costs; higher is better for income. Figures are estimates from public data (BEA, Census, HUD).
Which City Is More Affordable?
Overall, Austin is the more affordable of the two, with a cost-of-living index of 98.1 versus 103.3 for Phoenix. The biggest difference is usually housing, where rents in Phoenix run noticeably higher.
You can read the full breakdown for each city on its own page: cost of living in Austin and cost of living in Phoenix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Austin or Phoenix?
Austin is about 5% cheaper than Phoenix overall, based on the BEA cost-of-living index (Austin: 98.1 vs Phoenix: 103.3).
What is the rent difference between Austin and Phoenix?
The median rent is $1,655 in Austin and $1,458 in Phoenix.
How much salary do you need in Austin vs Phoenix?
A single person needs about $62,500 in Austin and $63,300 in Phoenix to live comfortably.
Data Sources
Cost-of-living index from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (Regional Price Parities). Income, rent, and home value from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-Year). Fair Market Rents from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.