Median rent is 24% lower in University City ($1,265/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in University City, where the median home runs $285,100 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $76,466 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
University City, MO
How much would you need to earn in University City, MO 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
University City
Missouri
👥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 University City — median rent of $1,265/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 24% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $285,100 in University City — 44% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Missouri tops out at 4.80% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 4.22% in Missouri; University City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
University City
Income tax: 4.80%
Sales tax: 4.22%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for University City.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick University City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,265/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than University City?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs University City?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,265/mo in University City, MO. University City, MO has the lower rent by about 24%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or University City?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $76,466 in University City, MO. 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 University City?
Texas has no state income tax. Missouri has a top rate of 4.80%.
What salary do I need in University City 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