Is Austin or Seattle more affordable?
Austin has a median rent of $1,415/month, while Seattle is $1,801/month. Austin is more affordable for renters.
City comparison
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, taxes, climate, and quality of life between Austin and Seattle.
2
Austin wins
of 5 metrics
tracked
1
Seattle wins
TX
Austin
WA
Seattle
Overview
Population
Median Income
+33.5%Cost of Living
Median Rent / mo
+27.3%Median Home Price
+101.2%Rent-to-Income %
Taxes
State Income Tax
Local Tax Rate
Climate & Weather
Avg High Temp
Avg Low Temp
Sunny Days / Year
Annual Rainfall
Who should choose
Austin is a city in Texas with a population of 944,658.
Read full Austin guide →Who should choose
Seattle is a city in Washington with a population of 726,054.
Read full Seattle guide →Austin has a median rent of $1,415/month, while Seattle is $1,801/month. Austin is more affordable for renters.
Texas has no state income tax. Washington has no state income tax. Both have the same state income tax rate.
Avg high in Austin: 71.28°F. Avg high in Seattle: 49.82°F
Austin. Seattle. The right choice depends on your priorities — income, affordability, taxes, and climate all play a role.
Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and NOAA. Green values indicate a better outcome for that metric.