Median rent is 41% lower in Port Huron ($972/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in Port Huron, where the median home runs $136,000 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $49,377 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Port Huron, MI
How much would you need to earn in Port Huron, MI 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
Port Huron
Michigan
👥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 Port Huron — median rent of $972/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 41% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $136,000 in Port Huron — 73% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Michigan tops out at 4.25% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.00% in Michigan; Port Huron has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Port Huron
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for Port Huron.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick Port Huron if you prioritize cheaper rent ($972/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than Port Huron?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Port Huron?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $972/mo in Port Huron, MI. Port Huron, MI has the lower rent by about 41%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Port Huron?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $49,377 in Port Huron, MI. 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 Port Huron?
Texas has no state income tax. Michigan has a top rate of 4.25%.
What salary do I need in Port Huron 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