Median rent is 0% lower in Bel Air North ($1,651/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bel Air North, where the median home runs $422,700 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Bel Air North ($137,995 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Bel Air North, MD
How much would you need to earn in Bel Air North, MD to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
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
Austin
Texas
Bel Air North
Maryland
👥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: $1,655/mo in Austin and $1,651/mo in Bel Air North. Median home values are within 18% of each other: $512,700 in Austin and $422,700 in Bel Air North.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Maryland tops out at 5.75% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.00% in Maryland; Bel Air North has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Bel Air North
Income tax: 5.75%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Bel Air North.
Pick Bel Air North if you prioritize higher median household income ($137,995/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than Bel Air North?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Bel Air North?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,651/mo in Bel Air North, MD. Bel Air North, MD has the lower rent by about 0%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Bel Air North?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $137,995 in Bel Air North, MD. Bel Air North, MD 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 — Austin or Bel Air North?
Texas has no state income tax. Maryland has a top rate of 5.75%.
What salary do I need in Bel Air North to match my Austin 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