Austin TX vs Grand Island NE — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
Grand Island
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Grand Island
N/A
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Grand Island
N/A
White
Austin
59.9%
Grand Island
N/A
Black
Austin
7.5%
Grand Island
N/A
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Grand Island
N/A
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Grand Island
N/A
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | N/A | - |
| White | 59.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 7.5% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 8.6% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Grand Island
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Grand Island
N/A
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Grand Island
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $66,354 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $254,245 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 294 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1960 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Grand Island
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Grand Island
11.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Austin +
Grand Island
17.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Grand Island
19.1%
Grand Island +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Grand Island
14.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 41.5% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.6% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 14.4% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.5% | Austin + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 19.1% | Grand Island + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.8% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Grand Island
50.8°F
Grand Island +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 50.8°F | Grand Island + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 26.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Grand Island
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Grand Island, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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