Median rent is 6% lower in Hollywood ($1,555/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Hollywood, where the median home runs $374,200 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $65,359 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Hollywood, FL
How much would you need to earn in Hollywood, FL 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
Hollywood
Florida
👥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 Hollywood at $1,555/mo compared to $1,655/mo in Austin (6% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $374,200 in Hollywood — 27% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Texas and Florida have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.00% in Florida; Hollywood has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Hollywood
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Hollywood has cleaner air on average: 27.0 AQI (Good) compared to 47.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Hollywood if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 27.0).
Is Austin cheaper than Hollywood?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Hollywood?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,555/mo in Hollywood, FL. Hollywood, FL has the lower rent by about 6%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Hollywood?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $65,359 in Hollywood, FL. Austin, TX 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?
Hollywood, FL has better air quality on average: 27.0 AQI versus 47.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Hollywood?
Both Texas and Florida have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Hollywood 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