New York vs Austin: Full Comparison
Updated November 2026 · Cost of living, safety, and climate data
Quick Answer
New York is 58% more expensive than Austin. New York is 50% safer. New York has more comfortable months (6 vs 5). New York population: 8,584,629. Austin population: 1,002,632.
Which city is better for you?
Based on cost of living indices, FBI crime data, and NOAA climate records.
Cost of Living: New York vs Austin
Austin is more affordable overall, with a cost of living index of 120 vs 190 (national average = 100). That's a difference of 70 index points.
| Category | New York | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Index | 190 | 120 |
| Housing | $5,340/moIndex: 300 | $2,990/moIndex: 168 |
| Groceries | $472/moIndex: 115 | $410/moIndex: 100 |
| Transportation | $438/moIndex: 125 | $368/moIndex: 105 |
| Healthcare | $358/moIndex: 112 | $320/moIndex: 100 |
| Utilities | $220/moIndex: 100 | $220/moIndex: 100 |
Index 100 = national average. Dollar amounts are estimated monthly costs. Sources: BEA Regional Price Parities, C2ER Cost of Living Index.
Safety: New York vs Austin
New York is 50% safer overall, with a crime rate of 19.8 per 1,000 residents vs Austin's 39.5. New York earns a B- safety grade compared to Austin's D-. Based on 2023 FBI data.
New York
New York
Austin
Texas
| Metric | New York | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 19.8/1K | 39.5/1K |
| Violent Crime Rate | 380.0 | 350.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1600.0 | 3600.0 |
| Murder Rate | 5.8 | 4.6 |
| Assault Rate | 307.2 | 278.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 78.0 | 60.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 209.6 | 461.8 |
| Theft Rate | 1317.5 | 3112.6 |
| Vehicle Theft Rate | 222.6 | 763.2 |
Crime rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Lower rates are better (safer).
Victim Odds
In New York, you have a 1 in 51 chance of being a crime victim per year vs 1 in 25 in Austin.
Climate: New York vs Austin
New York Climate Overview
Austin Climate Overview
Monthly Temperature Comparison
| Metric | New York | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual High | 62.7°F | 80.2°F |
| Avg Annual Low | 47.3°F | 58.7°F |
| Annual Rain | 49.0" | 33.9" |
| Annual Snow | 24.8" | None |
| Comfortable Months | 6 | 5 |
| Freezing Months | 3 | 0 |
Austin is 13°F warmer in summer than New York, but New York is 15°F colder in winter than Austin. New York gets 25 inches of snow annually, while Austin rarely sees any. New York is wetter with 49" of annual rain compared to 34". New York has more comfortable weather months (6 vs 5).
Frequently Asked Questions
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Learn More About Each City
Safety data: 2023 FBI Uniform Crime Report. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities and C2ER Cost of Living Index. Climate: NOAA 30-year normals. Not a substitute for local guidance.
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