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There is a spreadsheet version of the data on the page (xls).

Some of the types of data on this page are also available in the Economic Indicators section, which is updated monthly.


Texas consistently ranks as one of the nation’s most favorable business climates based on its low tax burden and competitive regulatory environment. In Texas, aggregate costs for real estate, energy, wages and taxes are below most states in the country.

Compared to other major business centers, Austin is well known for offering affordable living. The National Association of Realtors reports that the median home price in Austin was $188,600 in 2008 while the national median was $196,600.

Texas features no personal or corporate income tax, and overall the state has one of the lowest state and local tax burdens in the nation, ranking 47th among the 50 states in taxes paid per $1000 of personal income.

Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living Index, 2008 (U.S.=100)
  Composite Grocery (12%) Housing (29%) Utilties (10%) Trans-
portation (11%)		 Health care (4%) Misc. (33%)
Atlanta 97.2 98.9 91.3 87.6 103.0 102.0 102.1
Austin 95.5 92.5 84.9 88.4 98.0 96.5 107.2
Boston 133.6 115.9 156.7 140.6 108.1 133.6 126.4
Chicago 112.5 106.9 129.2 117.9 108.7 103.1 100.8
Dallas 92.1 99.8 70.8 105.3 102.9 104.3 98.9
Denver 105.0 108.5 110.3 96.3 97.2 105.8 104.0
Los Angeles 147.7 111.2 250.8 89.0 112.8 108.3 104.8
NY (Manhattan) 219.8 142.4 409.6 167.3 120.2 132.6 141.8
Phoenix 101.1 103.4 100.1 90.9 100.2 99.4 104.8
Raleigh 102.6 104.1 99.3 94.3 97.8 107.3 108.4
Salt Lake City 99.7 104.2 99.9 71.8 101.6 101.6 105.4
San Francisco 172.1 128.6 292.9 98.6 113.4 120.3 130.5
Cost of Living Index, 4 Quarters Ending Q2 2007
Cost of Living Calculator
Source: The Council for Community & Economic Research, ACCRA Cost of Living Index.
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Home Prices
Median Sales Price, Existing Single-Family Homes
  2006 2007 2008 Annual percent change
2006-2007 2007-2008
Austin MSA $173,700 $183,700 $188,600 5.8% 2.7%
United States 221,900 217,900 196,600 -1.8% -9.8%
Note: Time series of annual and monthly numbers for home prices and other housing market indicators are updated monthly on the Chamber's Economic Indicators page.
Source: National Association of Realtors.
Average Home Price, Middle Management Housing, 2007
Note: The subject home type is a single-family dwelling model with approximately 2,200 sq.ft., 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, family room (or equivalent) and 2-car garage. Surveyed homes and neighborhoods are typical for corporate middle-management transferees. Where Coldwell Banker reports multiple submarkets for a metro, the price indicated is an unweighted average of the reported submarkets.

Source: Coldwell Banker.
Downloadable Home Price Maps
Existing Home Prices Map (186 kb)
New Home Prices Map (216 kb)
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Tax Burden
Tax Burden, 2007
  Texas United States
State & local taxes per capita, total $3,441 $4,234
   Property 1,434 1,272
   Sales 1,608 1,456
   Individual income 0 960
   Corporate income 0 201
   Other taxes 398 345
State and local taxes per $1000 of personal income 110 93
State & Local Taxes Per Capita, 2005
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, State & Local Government Finances.
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