Median rent is 32% lower in West Springfield Town ($1,121/mo vs $1,655/mo). Buying is cheaper in West Springfield Town, where the median home runs $307,900 versus $512,700. Households earn more in Austin ($91,461 vs $70,401 a year).
City A
Austin, TX
City B
West Springfield Town, MA
How much would you need to earn in West Springfield Town, 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
West Springfield Town
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 West Springfield Town — median rent of $1,121/mo versus $1,655/mo in Austin, a 32% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Austin: the median home is $512,700 versus $307,900 in West Springfield Town — 40% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Massachusetts tops out at 9.00% — giving Austin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.25% in Massachusetts; West Springfield Town has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Austin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
West Springfield Town
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Austin (avg AQI 47.0) but not yet for West Springfield Town.
Pick Austin if you prioritize higher median household income ($91,461/yr).
Pick West Springfield Town if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,121/mo median).
Pick Austin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Austin cheaper than West Springfield Town?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Austin vs West Springfield Town?
Median rent is $1,655/mo in Austin, TX and $1,121/mo in West Springfield Town, MA. West Springfield Town, MA has the lower rent by about 32%.
Which has higher salaries — Austin or West Springfield Town?
Median household income is $91,461 in Austin, TX and $70,401 in West Springfield Town, MA. 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 West Springfield Town?
Texas has no state income tax. Massachusetts has a top rate of 9.00%.
What salary do I need in West Springfield Town 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