Austin VS Miami

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Austin
United States
64.8
COLI Index
#32
Global Rank
USD
Currency
Miami
United States
80.1
COLI Index
#11
Global Rank
USD
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
64.8
80.1
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$1,800
$2,500
Total Deductions
19.5%
21.4%
Exchange Rate
1 USD = 1.0000 USD
Is Austin cheaper than Miami?

Yes, Austin is 19% cheaper than Miami based on our cost of living index. Austin has a COLI of 64.8, while Miami has a COLI of 80.1. 19% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Austin vs Miami

Overall, Austin is approximately 19% cheaper than Miami based on our cost of living index. Austin has a COLI of 64.8 (ranked #32 of 182 cities), while Miami has a COLI of 80.1 (ranked #11).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Austin averages $1,800/month compared to $2,500/month in Miami. That makes Austin approximately 28% cheaper for rent alone.

Austin has lower total deductions (19.5%) compared to Miami (21.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Austin. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Austin

Income Tax
12%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
Total: 19.5%Take-Home: $39,137/yr

Miami

Income Tax
14%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
Total: 21.4%Take-Home: $47,210/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn $75,000 in Austin, you would need approximately $92,708 in Miami to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 19% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Austin (USD) Miami (USD)
Doctor (General) $116,640 $144,180
Software Engineer $55,080 $68,085
Product Manager $64,800 $80,100
Lawyer $64,800 $80,100
Data Scientist $61,560 $76,095
Marketing Manager $46,656 $57,672
Teacher $31,104 $38,448
Nurse $37,584 $46,458

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Austin (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
West Lake Hills1.30x (+30%)
Downtown1.25x (+25%)
Clarksville1.25x (+25%)
Zilker1.22x (+22%)
South Congress (SoCo)1.18x (+18%)

Miami (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Key Biscayne1.35x (+35%)
Bal Harbour1.32x (+32%)
South Beach1.30x (+30%)
Brickell1.25x (+25%)
Miami Beach1.22x (+22%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin or Miami more expensive?

Miami is more expensive overall. Austin has a COLI of 64.8 while Miami has a COLI of 80.1, making Austin approximately 19% cheaper.

What salary in Miami equals $75,000 in Austin?

To maintain the same standard of living as $75,000 in Austin, you would need approximately $92,708 in Miami.

Is rent cheaper in Austin or Miami?

Average one-bedroom rent in Austin is $1,800/month compared to $2,500/month in Miami. Austin has lower rent by approximately 28%.

Which city has lower taxes, Austin or Miami?

Austin has lower total deductions (19.5%) compared to Miami (21.4%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Austin.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.