Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
11% cheaper
Greenville is 11% more affordable than Austin. A $75,000 salary in Austin is equivalent to $66,589 in Greenville.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Texas salaries · South Carolina salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Austin has a housing index of 123 while Greenville sits at 85 (national average = 100). The median home in Austin costs $430,000 compared to $250,000 in Greenville, a difference of $180,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Austin versus $1,200 in Greenville.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Austin scores 96 while Greenville scores 98. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Austin (97) are lower than Greenville (103). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Austin is $75,413 compared to $48,912 in Greenville. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Greenville.
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