Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Indianapolis-Carmel

Cost of Living Comparison

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$22,224
Net Income $40,535

To match your lifestyle in Indianapolis-Carmel, you'd need:

$51,332

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos 126.4
Indianapolis-Carmel 87.0
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos $32,079
Indianapolis-Carmel $49,355

Indianapolis-Carmel

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$9,376
Rent (2BR) -$17,676
Net Income $42,948

To match your lifestyle in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, you'd need:

$97,988

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $2,413 more per year in Indianapolis-Carmel compared to Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos. You'd pay $2,135 more in taxes in Indianapolis-Carmel, while housing costs 20% less. The cost of living in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is 26% above avg, while Indianapolis-Carmel is 13% below avg, making Indianapolis-Carmel the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos feels like earning $51,332 in Indianapolis-Carmel once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Indianapolis-Carmel has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Indianapolis-Carmel ($22,621 vs $20,099 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Indianapolis-Carmel
Schools
541
508
Enrollment
345,378
342,966
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
13.8%
8.7%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Indianapolis-Carmel
Institutions
31
26
In-State Tuition
$22,621
$20,099
Out-of-State
$28,276
$21,954
Grad Rate
58.5%
57.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos or Indianapolis-Carmel more expensive?

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is more expensive with a cost of living index of 126.4 vs 87.0 (national average = 100).

What salary in Indianapolis-Carmel equals $70,000 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?

You would need to earn approximately $51,332 in Indianapolis-Carmel to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Indianapolis-Carmel?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,224 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos and $17,676 in Indianapolis-Carmel—housing is 20% less in Indianapolis-Carmel.