CostIndexUSA

Austin, TX vs Wichita Falls, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

TX
Austin
98.1
overall index
$1,550/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Wichita Falls
89.5
overall index
$1,200/mo rent

Wichita Falls is moderately cheaper than Austin — 8.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Austin, you would need $73,000 in Wichita Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing43.4%
Austin
120.4
Wichita Falls
68.2
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Austin
93.8
Wichita Falls
93.8
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Austin
101.1
Wichita Falls
101.1
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Austin
91.4
Wichita Falls
91.4
Utilities+2.6%
Austin
82
Wichita Falls
84.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Austin to see what you'd need to earn in Wichita Falls to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Wichita Falls, TX
$73,000
$7,000 less needed in Wichita Falls

Formula: salary × (89.5 ÷ 98.1) = salary × 0.9123. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Austin, TX

Median Home Price
$420,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
120.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.6×

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Home Price
$167,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
11.6×

Austin has 43.4% lower housing costs compared to Wichita Falls.

Income & Job Market

Austin, TX

Median Household Income
$98,500
Per Capita Income
$56,100
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
978,908
Top Industries
TechnologyGovernmentHealthcareEducationEntertainment

Wichita Falls, TX

Median Household Income
$63,500
Per Capita Income
$36,200
Unemployment Rate
2.7%
Population
104,553
Top Industries
MilitaryHealthcareManufacturingRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Austin, TX
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Wichita Falls, TX
4.4×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.