Median rent is 53% lower in Aberdeen ($783/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Aberdeen, where the median home runs $205,500 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $63,715 a year).
City A
Aberdeen, SD
City B
Austin, TX
How much would you need to earn in Austin, TX to maintain your standard of living from Aberdeen, SD?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Aberdeen
South Dakota
Austin
Texas
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Aberdeen — median rent of $783/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 53% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $205,500 in Aberdeen — 60% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both South Dakota and Texas have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 4.20% in South Dakota and 6.25% in Texas; Aberdeen has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Aberdeen
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 4.20%
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Aberdeen.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Aberdeen if you prioritize cheaper rent ($783/mo median).
Is Aberdeen cheaper than Austin?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Aberdeen vs Austin?
Median rent is $783/mo in Aberdeen, SD and $1,655/mo in Austin, TX. Aberdeen, SD has the lower rent by about 53%.
Which has higher salaries — Aberdeen or Austin?
Median household income is $63,715 in Aberdeen, SD and $91,461 in Austin, TX. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Aberdeen or Austin?
Both South Dakota and Texas have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Austin to match my Aberdeen income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology