Median rent is 34% lower in Apache Junction ($1,146/mo vs $1,729/mo). Buying is cheaper in Apache Junction, where the median home runs $211,500 versus $555,300. Households earn more in Austin ($93,658 vs $60,975 a year).
City A
Apache Junction, AZ
City B
Austin, TX
How much would you need to earn in Austin, TX to maintain your standard of living from Apache Junction, AZ?
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 metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Apache Junction
Arizona
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Apache Junction — median rent of $1,146/mo versus $1,729/mo in Austin, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $555,300 versus $211,500 in Apache Junction — 62% more expensive.
Metric
Apache Junction
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.
Apache Junction
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 Apache Junction.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($93,658/yr).
Pick Apache Junction if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,146/mo median).
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Median rent is $1,146/mo in Apache Junction, AZ and $1,729/mo in Austin, TX. Apache Junction, AZ has the lower rent by about 34%.
Median household income is $60,975 in Apache Junction, AZ 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.
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
