Performance
Score Breakdown
Austin
Nitro
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Nitro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
233% higher compared to Austin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Austin's average rent is
124% higher than Nitro's.
| Metric | Austin | Nitro | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,866 | $834 | +124% |
| Groceries | $450 | $0 | 0% |
| Utilities | $200 | $0 | 0% |
| Transport | $90 | $0 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $175 | $0 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,781 | $834 | +233% |
| Cost Index | 96 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Austin offers similar average salaries.
| Metric | Austin | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,152 | $0 |
| Salary Needed | $69,000 | $0 |
| Household Income | $93,658 | $53,848 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Austin | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 67.00% | 72.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Nitro has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Austin.
Austin scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Austin leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Austin | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 25 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 20.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 0.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 180.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Austin is the larger city
— approximately 147.6x the population of Nitro.
From a growth perspective, Nitro 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 | Nitro |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,011,743 | 6,853 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.91% | 2.90% |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 44.5 |
| Unemployment | 3.70% | 5.40% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Austin
Advantages
Austin's job market is robust, with 2.0% growth in 2025, ranking it as the best-performing among the 50 largest U.S. metros.
The unemployment rate in Austin is low, at 3.7% in January 2026, outperforming state and national averages.
Austin's violent crime rate in 2025 was 22% below the national average, contributing to a relatively safe urban environment.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, renowned for its live music, diverse dining, and extensive outdoor recreational opportunities.
Texas has no state income tax, allowing residents to retain more of their earnings.
Drawbacks
Despite recent dips, housing costs in Austin remain a significant expense, with average rent at $1,866/month in June 2026.
The overall crime rate in Austin is 23% below the national average, but it is 75% higher than the U.S. average and 44% higher than Texas according to 2024 FBI figures.
Austin exhibits high car dependency, with 56% of commuters driving alone in 2024, indicating challenges in public transit and walkability for some areas.
Some key industries, such as information and manufacturing, experienced job declines in 2025.
The average cost of a doctor's visit without insurance in Austin is relatively high at $175.
Nitro
Advantages
The median home value in Nitro is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Nitro boasts a high homeownership rate of 74.5%, exceeding the national average.
The average commute time for residents is shorter than the national average, at 24.5 minutes.
Nitro has a low violent crime rate, which is 33% below the national average.
The city offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities, including parks, fishing, and hiking.
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in Nitro, at 5.4%, is higher than the national average.
The median household income in Nitro is below the national average.
Nitro has a low Walk Score of 0 out of 100, indicating high car dependency.
Public transit options are limited, with most residents relying on personal vehicles.
Nitro's crime rates are 179% higher than the West Virginia average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Austin
#8Texas, USA
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,866
Avg Salary
$74,152
Cost Index
96
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.91%
Unemployment
3.70%
Livability
82
Business
85
Nitro
#19West Virginia, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$834
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.90%
Unemployment
5.40%
Livability
67
Business
0
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