Median rent is 18% lower in Austin ($1,655/mo vs $2,024/mo). Buying is cheaper in Austin, where the median home runs $512,700 versus $577,300. Households earn more in Miami Lakes ($97,255 vs $91,461 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Miami Lakes, FL
How much would you need to earn in Miami Lakes, 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
Miami Lakes
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 Austin at $1,655/mo compared to $2,024/mo in Miami Lakes (18% gap). Median home values are within 11% of each other: $512,700 in Austin and $577,300 in Miami Lakes.
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; Miami Lakes has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Miami Lakes
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Miami Lakes.
Pick Miami Lakes if you prioritize higher median household income ($97,255/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,655/mo median).
Is Austin cheaper than Miami Lakes?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Miami Lakes?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $2,024/mo in Miami Lakes, FL. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Miami Lakes?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $97,255 in Miami Lakes, FL. Miami Lakes, FL 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 Miami Lakes?
Both Texas and Florida have no state income tax.
What salary do I need in Miami Lakes 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