Median rent is 31% lower in Austin ($1,729/mo vs $2,502/mo). Buying is cheaper in Austin, where the median home runs $555,300 versus $784,600. Households earn more in Watertown ($126,265 vs $93,658 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
Watertown, MA
How much would you need to earn in Watertown, MA 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
Watertown
Massachusetts
👥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 Austin — median rent of $1,729/mo versus $2,502/mo in Watertown, a 31% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Watertown: the median home is $784,600 versus $555,300 in Austin — 29% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
Watertown
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 65.0) but not yet for Watertown.
Pick Watertown if you prioritize higher median household income ($126,265/yr).
Pick Austin if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,729/mo median).
Is Austin cheaper than Watertown?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs Watertown?
Median rent is $1,729/mo in Austin, TX and $2,502/mo in Watertown, MA. Austin, TX has the lower rent by about 31%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or Watertown?
Median household income is $93,658 in Austin, TX and $126,265 in Watertown, MA. Watertown, MA 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 Watertown?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Watertown to match my Austin income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
