Performance
Score Breakdown
Austin
New York City
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Austin is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
40% lower compared to New York City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Austin's average rent is
47% lower than New York City's.
| Metric | Austin | New York City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $3,382 | -47% |
| Groceries | $450 | $520 | -13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $370 | -51% |
| Transport | $120 | $130 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $4,652 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 178 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
New York City offers 35% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Austin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Austin is estimated at
$122,000 vs $61,000 in New York City.
| Metric | Austin | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,250 | $100,877 |
| Salary Needed | $122,000 | $61,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,604 idx | 56,672 idx |
| Household Income | $93,658 | $80,483 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Austin | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 63.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Austin has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to New York City.
New York City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, New York City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Austin | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 43 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 88.0/10 |
| Walkability | 42.0/10 | 89.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 75.00 | 167.60 |
| Car Dependency | High | Low |
Population
Economy & Demographics
New York City is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Austin.
From a growth perspective, Austin is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Austin has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Austin | New York City |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,011,743 | 8,585,000 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | % |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 38.2 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.90% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $1,354.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Austin
Advantages
Austin boasts a robust job market with a 2.1% job growth rate in 2024, outperforming many other major U.S. metros.
The city has a thriving startup ecosystem, ranking #1 for startup growth and business density, with over 7,000 new businesses in 2024.
Austin offers a high quality of life, ranking 15th globally in 2024, supported by its vibrant culture and numerous outdoor activities.
Crime rates in Austin saw significant decreases in the first quarter of 2024, contributing to an improved safety profile.
Several Austin healthcare facilities, including St. David's HealthCare, were recognized among the nation's 100 Top Hospitals in 2024.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Austin is higher than the national average, primarily driven by elevated housing costs for both renters and buyers.
Austin experiences significant traffic congestion, with commuters spending considerable time in transit, indicating high car dependency.
Despite overall high healthcare quality, some Austin-area hospitals received 'C' ratings for safety and quality standards in May 2024.
The median sale price of a home in Austin was $542,000 in May 2026, making homeownership challenging for many.
While public transit exists, Austin's city-wide Walk Score of 42 and Transit Score of 35 indicate that most errands require a car.
New York City
Advantages
New York City is the most linguistically diverse city globally, with an estimated 800 languages spoken.
The city boasts a world-class public transportation system, with a transit score of 88 and a walkability score of 89.
New York City's private sector employment reached a record high of 4.25 million jobs in December 2024.
Overall index crime in New York City saw a nearly 3% reduction in 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declines.
New York City is a global hub for finance, media, tech, healthcare, and tourism, offering unparalleled opportunities.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in New York City is 78% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive cities globally.
Median rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Manhattan reached $4,595 in April 2024.
The city experienced a population decline of 12,000 residents between June 2024 and July 2025.
New York City has a high traffic index of 167.6 and an average commute time of 43.34 minutes.
Housing affordability has reached a crisis due to high costs and a slow pace of new housing construction.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Austin
#21Texas, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,250
Cost Index
101
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
42.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
85
New York City
#65New York, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,382
Avg Salary
$100,877
Cost Index
178
Commute
43 min
Transit Score
88.0/10
Walkability
89.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
70
Business
62
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