Median rent is 13% lower in Austin ($1,655/mo vs $1,900/mo). Buying is cheaper in Little Elm, where the median home runs $390,300 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Little Elm ($116,036 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Little Elm, TX
How much would you need to earn in Little Elm, TX 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
Little Elm
Texas
👥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 $1,900/mo in Little Elm (13% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $390,300 in Little Elm — 24% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax — a notable advantage for workers in both cities. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.25% in Texas; Little Elm has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Little Elm
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Little Elm.
Pick Little Elm if you prioritize higher median household income ($116,036/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,655/mo median).
Is Austin cheaper than Little Elm?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Little Elm?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,900/mo in Little Elm, TX. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 13%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Little Elm?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $116,036 in Little Elm, TX. Little Elm, 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Little Elm?
Both Texas and Texas have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Little Elm 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