Median rent is 49% lower in Austin ($1,655/mo vs $3,249/mo). Buying is cheaper in Austin, where the median home runs $512,700 versus $1,172,300. Households earn more in East Honolulu ($158,398 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
East Honolulu, HI
How much would you need to earn in East Honolulu, HI 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
East Honolulu
Hawaii
👥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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Austin — median rent of $1,655/mo versus $3,249/mo in East Honolulu, a 49% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in East Honolulu: the median home is $1,172,300 versus $512,700 in Austin — 56% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Hawaii tops out at 11.00% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 4.00% in Hawaii; East Honolulu has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
East Honolulu
Income tax: 11.00%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for East Honolulu.
Pick East Honolulu if you prioritize higher median household income ($158,398/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 East Honolulu?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs East Honolulu?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $3,249/mo in East Honolulu, HI. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 49%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or East Honolulu?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $158,398 in East Honolulu, HI. East Honolulu, HI 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 East Honolulu?
Texas has no state income tax. Hawaii has a top rate of 11.00%.
What salary do I need in East Honolulu 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