Median rent is 4% lower in Austin ($1,655/mo vs $1,727/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington Heights, where the median home runs $403,200 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Arlington Heights ($118,532 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Arlington Heights, IL
City B
Austin, TX
How much would you need to earn in Austin, TX to maintain your standard of living from Arlington Heights, IL?
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
Arlington Heights
Illinois
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,727/mo in Arlington Heights and $1,655/mo in Austin. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $403,200 in Arlington Heights — 21% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Illinois tops out at 4.95% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.25% in Texas; Austin has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Arlington Heights
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Arlington Heights.
Pick Arlington Heights if you prioritize higher median household income ($118,532/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Arlington Heights cheaper than Austin?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Arlington Heights vs Austin?
Median rent is $1,727/mo in Arlington Heights, IL and $1,655/mo in Austin, TX. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Arlington Heights or Austin?
Median household income is $118,532 in Arlington Heights, IL and $91,461 in Austin, TX. Arlington Heights, IL 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 — Arlington Heights or Austin?
Texas has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Austin to match my Arlington Heights 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