Median rent is 12% lower in Anchorage ($1,453/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Anchorage, where the median home runs $375,900 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Anchorage ($98,152 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Anchorage, AK
City B
Austin, TX
How much would you need to earn in Austin, TX to maintain your standard of living from Anchorage, AK?
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
Anchorage
Alaska
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Anchorage at $1,453/mo compared to $1,655/mo in Austin (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $375,900 in Anchorage — 27% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Alaska and Texas have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 0.00% in Alaska and 6.25% in Texas; Anchorage has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Anchorage
Income tax: None
Sales tax: None
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Anchorage has cleaner air on average: 12.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Anchorage if you prioritize higher median household income ($98,152/yr).
Pick Anchorage if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,453/mo median).
Pick Anchorage if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 12.0).
Is Anchorage cheaper than Austin?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Anchorage vs Austin?
Median rent is $1,453/mo in Anchorage, AK and $1,655/mo in Austin, TX. Anchorage, AK has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Anchorage or Austin?
Median household income is $98,152 in Anchorage, AK and $91,461 in Austin, TX. Anchorage, AK 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?
Anchorage, AK has better air quality on average: 12.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Anchorage or Austin?
Both Alaska and Texas have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Austin to match my Anchorage 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