Austin TX vs New York NY — 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%
New York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Austin
967,862
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Austin +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
New York
35.9%
Black
Austin
7.5%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
New York
28.4%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 38.0 | Austin + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 59.9% | 35.9% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 28.4% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
New York
$50,776
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $79,713 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $50,776 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.7% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 17.4% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 41.0% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Austin +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $816,078 | Austin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 32.8% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
New York
434
New York +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | New York + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
30.1%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
New York
15.4%
New York +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
New York
10.6%
New York +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 11.9% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.4% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 10.6% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.4% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
New York
46.6 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 46.6 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
New York
75.0%
New York +
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | New York + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Austin
25.8 min
Austin +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Austin, TX | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 44.2 min | Austin + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, while austin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $511,264. On public safety, New York is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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