Quick answer
Overall prices in the Seattle, WA metro were 111.1 vs 98.1 in Austin, TX in 2024 (US = 100), so Seattle is 13.3% more expensive than Austin; housing rents differ by 26% (151.3 vs 120.4). A $75,000 income in Seattle buys about what $66,182 buys in Austin, per BEA.
Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024
| Price index (US = 100) | Seattle | Austin | Seattle vs Austin |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 111.1 | 98.1 | +13.3% |
| Goods | 104.0 | 93.8 | +10.9% |
| Housing (rents) | 151.3 | 120.4 | +25.7% |
| Utilities | 92.8 | 82.0 | +13.1% |
| Other services | 106.8 | 96.2 | +11.0% |
| All items, 2008 | 109.1 | 99.6 | +9.6% |
| $50,000 in Seattle equals in Austin | $44,121 | ||
| $100,000 in Seattle equals in Austin | $88,242 | ||
| $150,000 in Seattle equals in Austin | $132,363 |
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- Cost of living: Austin, TX vs Virginia Beach, VA (2024)
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Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.