Purchasing Power
#3
of 124 cities
#3 of 124
North America
Austin
TX, United States
Salary & Cost of Living
How do salaries and expenses in Austin compare to Calgary?
Purchasing Power Comparison
An engineer in Austin is 92% better off vs in Calgary
This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Austin compared to Calgary, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.
Net Salary
$128,700
+$73K (+131%) vs Calgary
Tax Rate: 29%
Community Insights
NewAustin has transitioned from a quirky alternative tech hub into a major industry powerhouse, but the "honeymoon phase" has ended for many recent transplants. Financially, it remains one of the smartest moves a software engineer can make, ranking #6 in net income and #3 in purchasing power. You will keep more of what you earn here than almost anywhere else.
However, the trade-offs are distinct and physical. The city is grappling with infrastructure growing pains, leading to bad traffic and a lack of transit. Culturally, it is a blue dot in a red state, creating friction for those sensitive to state-level politics. Ultimately, Austin offers a high-gloss, high-earning suburban lifestyle that is perfect for some but culturally and climatically draining for others.
Resident Sentiment
Sentiment has shifted from euphoria to pragmatic resignation. Many transplants who moved during the pandemic are now vocal about the "hidden costs"—specifically the psychological toll of the summer heat and the unexpected burden of property taxes.
While few regret the financial boost, there is a growing thread of engineers planning their "exit strategy" back to cooler climates or blue states, citing that the city feels less "weird" and more corporate. Long-time locals express frustration at the cost of living increases and the changing culture, often blaming the influx of tech workers for diluting the city's original character.
Rankings
Top 2%
Net Income
#6
of 124 cities
$128,700/yr
Current value
Community Events
#8
of 124 cities
12 events on luma
Current value
Housing Affordability
How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Austin compared to Calgary?
Avg. Property Price
$5,004 / m²
41% more expensive than Calgary
Salary Converter
Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Austin to maintain the same standard of living.
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