Median rent is 13% lower in Des Plaines ($1,435/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Des Plaines, where the median home runs $318,200 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Des Plaines ($94,303 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Des Plaines, IL
How much would you need to earn in Des Plaines, IL 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
Des Plaines
Illinois
👥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 Des Plaines at $1,435/mo compared to $1,655/mo in Austin (13% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $318,200 in Des Plaines — 38% 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 Texas and 6.25% in Illinois; Des Plaines has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Des Plaines
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Des Plaines.
Pick Des Plaines if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,435/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than Des Plaines?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Des Plaines?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,435/mo in Des Plaines, IL. Des Plaines, IL has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Des Plaines?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $94,303 in Des Plaines, IL. Des Plaines, 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 — Austin or Des Plaines?
Texas has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Des Plaines 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