Austin vs Ogden
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026 Data
Austin
Ogden
💡 The Verdict
Ogden is 15% cheaper than Austin overall. A $75,000 salary in Austin is equivalent to $63,785 in Ogden.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values for Austin (left) vs Ogden (right). National average = 100.
Detailed Price Comparison
Estimated item-level prices in Austin versus Ogden. Differences shown from Austin perspective.
| Item | Austin | Ogden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Rent | $1,280/mo | $1,060/mo | +$220.00 |
| 2-Bed Rent | $1,700/mo | $1,420/mo | +$280.00 |
| 3-Bed Rent | $2,180/mo | $1,950/mo | +$230.00 |
| Bread (loaf) | $2.33 | $2.70 | $-0.37 |
| Milk (gallon) | $4.02 | $3.25 | +$0.77 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $2.51 | $2.74 | $-0.23 |
| Coffee (latte) | $5.16 | $5.08 | +$0.08 |
| Gas (gallon) | $3.41 | $3.08 | +$0.33 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14.80 | $12.76 | +$2.04 |
💰 Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Austin has the same purchasing power as $63,785 in Ogden.
Conversely, $75,000 in Ogden equals $88,187 in Austin.
💼 Take-Home Pay Comparison
Estimated annual take-home pay on a $75,000 salary after federal, FICA, and state income taxes.
The $3526 difference is driven by Utah having a higher state income tax rate. Texas details → · Utah details →
Reading These Numbers: Austin (107) vs Ogden (91)
Austin at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Ogden at 91 is 9% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.
In Austin, the composite index of 107 reflects a weighted calculation where housing carries the most influence at 123, followed by groceries (96), utilities (97), transportation (102), and healthcare (97). Housing is the primary cost driver here.
For renters: With median rents of $1,700/mo in Austin and $1,420/mo in Ogden, the annual rent difference is approximately $3,360.0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $16,800.0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $105,000.0 difference in median home prices between Austin and Ogden translates to meaningful differences in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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Making Your Decision: Austin vs Ogden
Choosing between Austin and Ogden involves more than just comparing index numbers. Consider how each category aligns with your personal spending patterns. If you work from home, transportation costs matter less than housing and utilities. If you eat out frequently, the groceries index may understate your actual food spending — look at the restaurant meal prices in the detailed comparison table above instead.
Long-term affordability in Austin versus Ogden depends partly on cost trajectory. Cities experiencing rapid population growth tend to see costs rise faster than established metros where supply has caught up with demand. While our index captures current conditions, consider whether the city trending cheaper today might converge toward average over the next five to ten years as more people discover it. Our quarterly updates help track these shifts over time.