Median rent is 32% lower in Myrtle Beach ($1,132/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Myrtle Beach, where the median home runs $347,700 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $53,679 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Myrtle Beach, SC
How much would you need to earn in Myrtle Beach, SC 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
Myrtle Beach
South Carolina
👥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 Myrtle Beach — median rent of $1,132/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 32% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $347,700 in Myrtle Beach — 32% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while South Carolina tops out at 6.40% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.00% in South Carolina; Myrtle Beach has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Myrtle Beach
Income tax: 6.40%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Myrtle Beach.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Myrtle Beach if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,132/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than Myrtle Beach?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Myrtle Beach?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,132/mo in Myrtle Beach, SC. Myrtle Beach, SC has the lower rent by about 32%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Myrtle Beach?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $53,679 in Myrtle Beach, SC. 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Austin or Myrtle Beach?
Texas has no state income tax. South Carolina has a top rate of 6.40%.
What salary do I need in Myrtle Beach 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