Cost of Living: Seattle to Austin, Real Numbers From a Local Realtor

Seattle to Austin Relocation Series

The cost of living in Austin is one of the first things Seattle families ask us about, and for good reason. A move from the Puget Sound to Central Texas can free up real money every month, but only if you understand where the savings actually come from and where costs quietly rise.

We work both markets, so the numbers below are not pulled from a national calculator. They reflect what we see with real clients moving between Seattle, the Eastside, and Austin. Figures are directional and vary by neighborhood, home price, and household, so treat them as a planning framework and confirm current numbers before you finalize a budget.

The Quick Answer: How Much Cheaper Is Austin?

For most relocating households, Austin runs roughly 10 to 20 percent cheaper than Seattle overall, with the gap widest on housing. Some categories, like summer electricity, actually cost more in Austin. Here is the high-level picture before we get into specifics.

Housing: The Biggest Difference

Housing is where the Seattle to Austin move pays off most. Whether you rent or buy, your dollar stretches further in Austin, and the difference on a purchase can be dramatic.

The practical result: the same budget that buys a modest home on a small lot in a competitive Seattle neighborhood often buys a larger, newer home with more land in a highly rated Austin school district.

A Real Monthly Budget Comparison

To make this concrete, here is an illustrative monthly comparison for a dual-income household buying in each market. The Seattle household buys around $800k and the Austin household around $550k, both with 20 percent down. Numbers are directional estimates for planning, not a quote.

In this example the Austin household spends roughly $1,000 less per month, almost entirely because of the lower purchase price. Higher property tax and cooling costs in Austin offset a portion of the savings, but the housing gap wins the day. We break the property tax side down further in Property Taxes in Texas vs Washington: What Seattle Buyers Need to Know.

Taxes and Take-Home Pay

Here is what surprises many movers: neither Washington nor Texas charges a broad state income tax today, so your take-home pay does not drop just for crossing state lines. Washington is changing, though. A new 9.9 percent tax on very high household incomes was signed into law in 2026 and is scheduled to take effect in 2028. Otherwise, the two states simply raise revenue differently. As always, confirm current details with a tax professional.

• Property tax: Higher in Texas, roughly 1.6 to 1.8 percent of value, versus about 0.9 percent in Washington. On a higher-value home, this is the number to watch.
• Sales tax: Higher in Seattle at roughly 10.25 percent, versus about 8.25 percent in Austin.
• Capital gains: Washington levies a 7 percent tax on long-term capital gains above the state threshold. Texas has none, which can matter when you sell investments or a business.
• Real estate excise tax: Washington charges a graduated real estate excise tax (REET) on a home sale, paid by the seller. Texas prohibits real estate transfer taxes, so there is no equivalent cost when you sell.

Utilities and Home Energy

This is one category where Austin can cost more. Texas summers mean months of heavy air conditioning, and electricity bills climb from June through September. Seattle homes use more heating across a longer, cooler, damper season, but the milder climate keeps peak bills lower.

• Austin: Expect higher summer electric bills, sometimes double the shoulder-season amount, offset by mild winters.
• Seattle: More consistent year round, with heating in winter and little need for air conditioning most summers.

Transportation and Commuting

Both metros have real traffic, but the shape of daily driving differs. Austin is more spread out and car-dependent, so households often drive more miles. Seattle is shaped by the water between its two sides, so bridges and ferries factor into commutes, and it offers more transit inside the urban core. Fuel and insurance are broadly comparable, with Austin edging slightly higher on annual mileage for many households.

Groceries, Dining, and Everyday Costs

Day-to-day spending is closer than most people expect. Groceries run slightly higher in Seattle. Dining out is excellent and competitively priced in both cities, though Austin is famous for high-value casual food, from barbecue to tacos and food trucks. The higher Seattle sales tax also nudges everyday purchases upward.

Childcare, Schools, and Healthcare

• Childcare: Broadly comparable, with Seattle running somewhat higher in the urban core.
• Schools: Both metros offer highly rated public districts. In Austin, buyers often ask about Eanes ISD around Westlake; in the Seattle area, Bellevue and Mercer Island are frequent questions.
• Healthcare: Costs are similar, with strong hospital systems in both regions.

What Your Seattle Home Equity Buys in Austin

For homeowners, this is often the most powerful part of the move. Seattle and Eastside homes have appreciated strongly for years, so many of our clients sell with substantial equity. Redeploying that equity in Austin can mean a larger home, a smaller mortgage, or both.

• Trade up: Buy more square footage, newer construction, or a better lot for the same money.
• Trade down the mortgage: Keep a similar home and dramatically reduce or eliminate your loan balance.
• Free up cash flow: Lower monthly housing costs can fund retirement, tuition, or investments.

Where you land shapes the trade-off. We map the best-fit areas in Best Austin Neighborhoods for Seattle Transplants.

Do Salaries Adjust When You Move?

It depends on your employer and role. Some national companies apply a modest cost-of-labor adjustment for Austin versus Seattle, while many remote and senior roles hold pay flat. Even when a small adjustment applies, the lower cost of living in Austin frequently leaves households ahead on a net basis. The key is to compare take-home pay against total monthly costs, not headline salary alone.

The Bottom Line

Austin is generally more affordable than Seattle, and housing is the reason. Expect meaningful monthly savings on a home purchase, partially offset by higher property taxes and summer energy bills. For homeowners moving with equity, the financial upside can be significant. For a full side-by-side on lifestyle, jobs, and weather, see our companion guide.

Related reading: Seattle vs Austin: Which City Is Right for You?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the cost of living in Austin really lower than Seattle?

Yes, for most households Austin is roughly 10 to 20 percent cheaper overall, driven mainly by lower housing costs. Some categories, such as summer electricity and property taxes, run higher in Austin.

How much house can I buy in Austin compared to Seattle?

Your budget typically goes much further. With Austin price per square foot roughly half of Seattle, the same money often buys a larger, newer home on a bigger lot.

Will I pay more in taxes moving from Seattle to Austin?

Neither state taxes income today, so take-home pay does not drop just for the move. Washington has a new 9.9 percent tax on very high incomes scheduled for 2028. Texas has higher property taxes but no capital gains or income tax, while Washington has lower property taxes but higher sales tax, a capital gains tax, and a real estate excise tax paid by sellers. Confirm current details with a tax professional.

Are utilities more expensive in Austin?

Summer cooling makes Austin electric bills higher from June through September, while Seattle spends more on heating across a longer cool season. Over a full year the difference is modest for most homes.

Do employers pay less in Austin than Seattle?

Some companies apply a small cost-of-labor adjustment, but many remote and senior roles hold pay flat. Even with an adjustment, the lower cost of living often leaves households ahead on a net basis.

The Danna Team | Compass | TheDannaTeam.com | (425) 652-7055