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City comparison

Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA

Safety is where Austin and Seattle split most clearly. Austin scores 84 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,729 in Austin and $2,030 in Seattle.

Austin is not a close call here. It leads on cost of living, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Seattle makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Austin is the stronger move.

The crime gap is citywide. Austin has rougher pockets and Seattle has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.

Full Austin reportFull Seattle report

Austin, TX

Rent
$1,729/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$1,817/mo
Median income
93,658
Crime index
151
Weather
79°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

Seattle, WA

Rent
$2,030/mo
HUD 2-bedroom FMR
$2,549/mo
Median income
123,860
Crime index
235
Weather
58°F

School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.

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Rent

15% cheaper

Austin rent is 15% cheaper than Seattle

Austin

Winner

$1,729/mo

Seattle

$2,030/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $1,729 a month in Austin versus $2,030 in Seattle, so Austin is 15% cheaper. A meaningful but not dramatic gap. Factor it into your budget alongside salary differences between the two markets. Over a year the spread is about $3,612, enough to notice in savings, not enough to ignore schools, safety, or pay. Austin still wins on housing cost; just do not let a 10–20% rent edge override a job that only exists in Seattle.

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Median income

32% higher

Seattle's median income is 32% higher than Austin

Austin

$93,658

Seattle

Winner

$123,860

What this means for your life

Median household income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $93,658 in Austin, so typical pay runs 32% higher in Seattle (about $30,202 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Seattle is the stronger labor market on paper. Austin can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.

Crime index

36% lower crime

Austin's crime index is 36% lower than Seattle

Austin

Winner

151 (100 = avg)

Seattle

235 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Austin's crime index is 151 versus 235 in Seattle (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 36% lower in Austin. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Austin is the easier city. Seattle can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

Typical weather

25% more comfortable

Austin weather is 25% more comfortable than Seattle

Austin

Winner

79°F avg · 86°F highs · comfort 100/100

Seattle

58°F avg · 66°F highs · comfort 80/100

What this means for your life

Austin averages about 79°F (86°F highs); Seattle averages about 58°F (66°F highs). Austin sits near 79°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Seattle averages around 58°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Austin scores 25% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Seattle if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.

Fit check

Who should choose Austin

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Austin is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 15% cheaper here at about $1,729 a month. Choose Austin if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Pick Austin if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (79°F) beat Seattle on this page's weather index by 25%. Seattle may pay more or cost less, but Austin is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Austin is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 36% lower than Seattle (151 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

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Fit check

Who should choose Seattle

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Seattle is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 32% higher here ($123,860). Start with Seattle if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

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Bottom line

Austin vs Seattle: Our Take

On weather alone, Austin is the warmer market (79°F) and Seattle the cooler (58°F). Typical leases run $1,729 and $2,030; choose the climate you will tolerate year-round, not just on a visit weekend.

Austin rent at $1,729/month is still below Seattle's $2,030, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.

Median income is $123,860 in Seattle versus $93,658 in Austin.

Most movers who prioritize climate land in Austin; Seattle only makes sense when 58°F matches how you want to live year-round.

Common questions

Austin vs Seattle FAQ

Is Austin cheaper than Seattle?
Yes. Typical rent in Austin is $1,729 a month versus $2,030 in Seattle (15% cheaper). Median household income is $93,658 in Austin compared with $123,860 in Seattle, so Seattle has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Austin or Seattle?
Austin is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 151 versus 235 in Seattle (36% lower; 100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Austin or Seattle?
School quality varies by neighborhood in Austin. Check GreatSchools.org or your local district for current ratings before you choose a ZIP. The same applies in Seattle. We do not publish a citywide school grade comparison because we do not yet have a verified public school-quality feed.

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