City Comparison · 2026
Austin vs Seattle
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Austin = $130k in Seattle
Metric
Austin
Seattle
COL Index
✓1.28
1.66
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,800/mo
$2,400/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,300/mo
$3,100/mo
State Income Tax
TX
WA
$100k Take-Home
$78,736
$78,736
$100k Effective Rate
21.26%
21.26%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$57,136
$49,936
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Austin TX | Seattle WA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. |
| $100,000 | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. |
| $150,000 | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin or Seattle cheaper to live in?
Austin has a cost-of-living index of 1.28 while Seattle is 1.66 (1.00 = US average). Austin is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Austin is $1,800/month vs $2,400/month in Seattle.
How much more do you need to earn in Seattle vs Austin?
$100k in Austin = $130k in Seattle. Cost of living in Seattle is higher by 29.7%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Austin or Seattle?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $78,736 in TX (Austin) and $78,736 in WA (Seattle). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $57,136 in Austin vs $49,936 in Seattle.
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