Is St. Elmo Expensive?

Austin, United States

-15% vs Austin avg

Living in St. Elmo, Austin

St. Elmo is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Austin, with a cost of living index of 55.1 — that is -15% compared to the Austin average. Ranked #18 of 23, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $1,530/month, compared to a range of $1,350 in Pflugerville to $2,340 in West Lake Hills.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of St. Elmo, housing takes up roughly 38% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $61,200 before tax.

Typical Salaries in St. Elmo

Salaries in St. Elmo reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 55.1:

After tax and deductions of 19.1% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $61,200 would be roughly $49,511/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

55.1
COLI Index
0.85x
vs City Avg
$1,530
Est. 1BR Rent
#18
of 23 Areas
19.1%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in St. Elmo

Estimated annual deductions on a $41,325 salary in St. Elmo, Austin (local employee).

Income Tax
11%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
Total Deductions: 19.1%
Est. Take-Home: $33,437/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in St. Elmo would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $41,325
London GBP £35,564
Dubai AED AED 206,781

Other Neighborhoods in Austin

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
West Lake Hills 84.2 1.30x +30%
Downtown 81.0 1.25x +25%
Clarksville 81.0 1.25x +25%
Zilker 79.1 1.22x +22%
South Congress (SoCo) 76.5 1.18x +18%

View all 23 neighborhoods in Austin →

Convert Your Salary

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to St. Elmo:

Beaverton, Portland Milwaukie, Portland Eunpyeong, Seoul Roxborough, Philadelphia Cherry Hill (NJ), Philadelphia Ballantyne, Charlotte

Frequently Asked Questions

Is St. Elmo expensive in Austin?

St. Elmo is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Austin. It costs about -15% less than the city average, ranking #18 out of 23 neighborhoods.

How does St. Elmo compare to the Austin average?

The cost of living in St. Elmo is below the Austin average. With a multiplier of 0.85x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -15% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.