Median rent is 2% lower in Austin ($1,729/mo vs $1,764/mo). Buying is cheaper in Towson, where the median home runs $469,000 versus $555,300. Households earn more in Towson ($101,320 vs $93,658 a year). Taken together, Austin is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 98.3 against 103.2 — about 5% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Towson, MD.
Cost of living verdict
Austin is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 98.3 in Austin vs 103.2 in Towson (US national average = 100)
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Towson, MD
How much would you need to earn in Towson, MD to maintain your standard of living from Austin, TX?
Equivalent salary in Towson, MD
$78,746
You'd need $3,746 more (5% higher).
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
Towson
Maryland
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 $1,764/mo in Towson. Median home values are within 16% of each other: $555,300 in Austin and $469,000 in Towson.
Metric
Austin
Towson
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
Towson
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 65.0) but not yet for Towson.
Pick Austin if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 98.3 vs 103.2).
Pick Towson if you prioritize higher median household income ($101,320/yr).
Austin is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 98.3 versus 103.2 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Austin.
Median rent is $1,729/mo in Austin, TX and $1,764/mo in Towson, MD. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin, TX and $101,320 in Towson, MD. Towson, MD 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 $104,994 in Towson, MD (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
