Median rent is 13% lower in Austin ($1,655/mo vs $1,903/mo). Buying is cheaper in Austin, where the median home runs $512,700 versus $594,400. Households earn more in Highland Park ($161,875 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Highland Park, IL
How much would you need to earn in Highland Park, 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
Highland Park
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 Austin at $1,655/mo compared to $1,903/mo in Highland Park (13% gap). Median home values are within 14% of each other: $512,700 in Austin and $594,400 in Highland Park.
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; Highland Park has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Highland Park
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Highland Park.
Pick Highland Park if you prioritize higher median household income ($161,875/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 Highland Park?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Highland Park?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,903/mo in Highland Park, IL. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Highland Park?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $161,875 in Highland Park, IL. Highland Park, 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 Highland Park?
Texas has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Highland Park 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