Median rent is 16% lower in Austin ($1,655/mo vs $1,976/mo). Buying is cheaper in Bridgewater Town, where the median home runs $500,600 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Bridgewater Town ($112,482 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Bridgewater Town, MA
How much would you need to earn in Bridgewater Town, MA 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
Bridgewater Town
Massachusetts
👥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 Austin at $1,655/mo compared to $1,976/mo in Bridgewater Town (16% gap). Median home values are within 2% of each other: $512,700 in Austin and $500,600 in Bridgewater Town.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Massachusetts tops out at 9.00% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.25% in Massachusetts; Bridgewater Town has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Bridgewater Town
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Bridgewater Town.
Pick Bridgewater Town if you prioritize higher median household income ($112,482/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,655/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than Bridgewater Town?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Bridgewater Town?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,976/mo in Bridgewater Town, MA. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 16%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Bridgewater Town?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $112,482 in Bridgewater Town, MA. Bridgewater Town, MA 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 Bridgewater Town?
Texas has no state income tax. Massachusetts has a top rate of 9.00%.
What salary do I need in Bridgewater Town 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