Median rent is 5% lower in Ann Arbor ($1,649/mo vs $1,729/mo). Buying is cheaper in Ann Arbor, where the median home runs $453,400 versus $555,300. Households earn more in Austin ($93,658 vs $82,212 a year). Taken together, Ann Arbor is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.2 against 98.3 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Austin, TX.
City A
Ann Arbor, MI
City B
Austin, TX
How much would you need to earn in Austin, TX to maintain your standard of living from Ann Arbor, MI?
Equivalent salary in Austin, TX
$75,096
You'd need $96 more (0% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Ann Arbor
Michigan
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,649/mo in Ann Arbor and $1,729/mo in Austin. Median home values are within 18% of each other: $453,400 in Ann Arbor and $555,300 in Austin.
Metric
Ann Arbor
Austin
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Ann Arbor
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Austin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 65.0) but not yet for Ann Arbor.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($93,658/yr).
Ann Arbor is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.2 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Ann Arbor.
Median rent is $1,649/mo in Ann Arbor, MI and $1,729/mo in Austin, TX. Ann Arbor, MI has the lower rent by about 5%.
Median household income is $82,212 in Ann Arbor, MI and $93,658 in Austin, TX. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Ann Arbor, MI is equivalent to roughly $100,128 in Austin, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
