Median rent is 4% lower in New Braunfels ($1,654/mo vs $1,729/mo). Buying is cheaper in New Braunfels, where the median home runs $339,400 versus $555,300. Households earn more in Austin ($93,658 vs $86,021 a year). Taken together, New Braunfels is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.3 against 98.3 — about 4% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Austin, TX.
Cost of living verdict
New Braunfels is 4% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.3 in New Braunfels vs 98.3 in Austin (US national average = 100)
City A
Austin, TX
City B
New Braunfels, TX
How much would you need to earn in New Braunfels, TX to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
Equivalent salary in New Braunfels, TX
$71,987
You could earn $3,013 less (4% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Austin
Texas
New Braunfels
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,729/mo in Austin and $1,654/mo in New Braunfels. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $555,300 versus $339,400 in New Braunfels — 39% more expensive.
Metric
Austin
New Braunfels
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Austin
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
New Braunfels
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 65.0) but not yet for New Braunfels.
Pick New Braunfels if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 94.3 vs 98.3).
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($93,658/yr).
New Braunfels is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.3 versus 98.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 4% lower in New Braunfels.
Median rent is $1,729/mo in Austin, TX and $1,654/mo in New Braunfels, TX. New Braunfels, TX has the lower rent by about 4%.
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin, TX and $86,021 in New Braunfels, TX. Austin, TX has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Austin, TX is equivalent to roughly $95,983 in New Braunfels, TX (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
