New York City offers extensive public transportation, walkability, and a wide array of cultural venues, but it comes at a high cost of living and high taxes. Austin provides a dynamic arts and dining scene with lower healthcare costs but struggles with traffic, infrastructure strain, and rising living costs. The choice depends on prioritizing career opportunities, lifestyle preferences, and budget considerations.
| Attribute | New York City | Austin, Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | Ranges from 70% to 132% higher than the national average. | 129.1 (29.1% above the national average, 12% more expensive than the national average, and 24% more expensive than the average city in Texas) |
| Median Home Price | Around $740K - $888K. Median listing home price per square foot is around $830. | $541,700 to $592,830 (May/June 2025) or $430,000 (March 2025) |
| Average Commute Time | Approximately 33.2 minutes. | Not available |
| Public Transportation Options | Extensive options include: Subways (24/7 service on many lines), Buses (local and express routes), Commuter rail (Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, New Jersey Transit), Ferries, PATH to New Jersey, Taxis and ride-sharing services (Uber, Lyft), Roosevelt Island Tramway. | Capital Metro (CapMetro) provides bus routes, MetroRapid, MetroFlyer, MetroExpress, University of Texas Shuttles, and MetroRail. |
| Job Market Growth Rate | New York City's job growth is at 1.5% over the past year, which is faster than job growth in New York State (1.0%) and the US (1.2%). Strong job growth in finance, insurance, and professional services. | 1.4% (July 2024, 28th among top 50 metros) or 2.1% (revised 2024, 5th fastest-growing major metro) |
| Walkability Score | New York is an excellent walking city. | 42 (30th or 33rd most walkable large city in the US) |
| Number of Parks and Green Spaces | Not explicitly stated, but NYC is known for parks like Central Park. | Not available |
| Crime Rate (per 100,000 residents) | Crime rates have generally declined since the 1990s. NYPD has a strong presence throughout the city. | 4,130 crimes per 100,000 people (higher than the national average); Violent crime rates: 540 per 100,000 residents (2022) |
| Quality of Public Schools (rating) | Not explicitly stated. | Not available |
| Cultural and Entertainment Venues | Extensive, including: Museums, Theaters (Broadway), Music venues, Historical sites, Landmarks (Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building). | Galleries, museums, street art, live performances, music venues, theaters, film. Key venues: Long Center for the Performing Arts, ZACH Theatre, Blanton Museum of Art, Red River Cultural District. |
| Average Temperature (Annual) | The temperature is between 67 0F (19 0C) and 89 0F (32 0C). | Not available |
| State and Local Taxes | State income tax: 4% - 10.9%. NYC income tax: 3.078% - 3.876%. Sales tax: 4% - 8.875%. Property tax: 1.64% average effective rate. Gas tax: 25.68 cents per gallon of regular gasoline. | Not available |