The borough of Queens in New York City and Austin in Texas each offer distinct living experiences. From vibrant city life to outdoor adventures, both cities cater to diverse lifestyles. The following comparison delves into features like crime and safety, weather, cost of living, education, economy, infrastructure, industries, employment opportunities, real estate, neighborhoods, transportation, taxes, culture, sports, geographical conditions, and healthcare in both cities.
Queens, being part of New York City, has lower crime rates than the national average, mainly in categories like violent crime and property crime. In contrast, Austin, with its growing population and urban development, demonstrates a slightly higher crime rate than the national average. Yet, police presence and community programs aim to continually reduce these statistics.
Cost of Living
Living costs are considerably higher in Queens due to its expensive housing market and New York City’s high general cost of living. In contrast, Austin is known for its affordability relative to other major cities, even though its cost of living has been increasing in recent years.
Income Tax
Queens residents pay both New York State and City income taxes. Texas, on the other hand, doesn't have a state income tax, benefiting Austin's residents.
Property Tax
Property tax rates in Queens are usually lower than the national average. In contrast, Austin has one of the highest property tax rates in Texas, resulting in a comparable rate to Queens when considering cost of living.
Sales Tax
New Yorkers experience one of the highest combined state and city sales tax rates in the country. In contrast, Austin residents face relatively lower sales tax rates, despite Texas being among the states with the highest sales tax.
Income
Type
Queens
Austin
Estimated median household income
$73,262
$79,542
Estimated per capita income
$34,969
$53,937
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
173.2
96.4
If you make $50,000 in Austin, you will have to make $89,834 in Queens to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Queens is in an urban setting with access to the Atlantic Ocean's beaches and waterways, plus many city parks. Austin, nestled in Texas Hill Country, features a mix of urban areas, green spaces, and nearby lakes.
Geographical information
Type
Queens
Austin
Land area
109.2 sq. miles
251.5 sq. miles
Population density
20,847 people per sq. mile
3,833.4 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Queens, NY Austin, TX
Education
Both cities take education seriously. Queens benefits from the vast New York City Public School system, including numerous charter and specialty schools. Austin offers excellent education through reputed school districts and is home to the prestigious University of Texas.
The economy of Queens is diverse, encompassing sectors like telecommunications, film and television production, healthcare, and retail trade. Despite the pandemic, Austin's economy remains robust, with strengthened tech, government, education, and entertainment sectors.
Biggest Employers
Queens' biggest employers include JetBlue Airways, Mount Sinai Queens, and Time Warner. The biggest employers in Austin include Dell, IBM, the University of Texas, and the State Government.
In Queens (Queens County), 79.2% voted for Democrats and 20.0% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Queens
Austin
Queens
Austin
Queens
Austin
2020
72.3%
71.7%
27.0%
26.5%
0.7%
1.8%
2016
75.4%
65.8%
21.8%
27.2%
2.8%
7.0%
2012
79.2%
60.2%
20.0%
36.2%
0.8%
3.6%
2008
75.4%
63.8%
24.3%
34.4%
0.3%
1.8%
2004
71.8%
56.1%
27.5%
42.1%
0.8%
1.8%
2000
75.2%
41.7%
22.0%
47.0%
2.8%
11.3%
1996
72.9%
52.4%
21.1%
40.0%
6.0%
7.7%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Queens
Austin
Queens
Austin
CATHOLIC CHURCH
30.4%
17.3%
7.7%
4.5%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
3.7%
1.2%
4.4%
0.7%
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
0.6%
0.2%
3.4%
1.0%
AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE USA
0.5%
0.1%
2.5%
0.1%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
0.4%
1.4%
2.1%
2.8%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
0.3%
1.0%
2.6%
2.5%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
0.2%
8.0%
3.8%
22.8%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.1%
0.9%
1.8%
2.1%
Weather
Weather in Queens is categorized by a humid subtropical climate with significant seasonal variations, showing mild to cool winters and hot, humid summers. Conversely, Austin enjoys a humid subtropical climate as well but with milder, shorter winters and long, hot summers.
Weather and climate
Type
Queens
Austin
Temperature - Average
54.6°F
68.5°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
68.5%
75.2%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
25.1%
40%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
76.3%
89%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
51.1%
49%
Precipitation - Yearly average
44.5 in
33.7 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
52.7 in
1.4 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
16.3%
19.3%
Sunshine amount - Average
60.2%
63.3%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
20%
22%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
64%
72%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
44%
50%
Wind speed - Average
11.6 mph
7.2 mph
Average climate in Queens, New York
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PB
PM10
PM25
SO2
Year
Queens
Austin
Queens
Austin
Queens
Austin
Queens
Austin
Queens
Queens
Queens
Austin
Queens
Austin
2018
97
76
0.26
N/A
14.7
4.9
25.4
26.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.4
8.7
0.4
0.2
2017
98
76
0.23
N/A
15.4
4.6
25.8
29.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.4
8.3
0.5
0.3
2016
97
71
0.24
N/A
16.0
4.2
25.5
29.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.7
8.2
0.6
0.2
2015
104
78
0.26
N/A
17.4
4.4
24.1
28.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.9
8.6
0.8
0.3
2014
99
74
0.25
N/A
17.0
5.2
24.3
28.3
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
8.7
1.1
0.5
2013
101
78
0.23
0.09
17.7
5.5
25.8
29.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
8.7
8.6
1.2
0.5
2012
105
86
0.26
0.13
17.6
5.5
25.8
30.1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.1
8.6
1.8
N/A
2011
112
83
0.27
0.11
20.4
2.6
24.2
33.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.6
9.1
2.7
N/A
2010
112
77
0.35
0.05
19.4
3.2
23.6
29.4
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.3
8.8
2.9
N/A
2009
107
76
0.24
0.05
21.0
2.6
21.0
29.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
9.7
9.0
3.4
N/A
2008
113
81
0.44
0.12
22.6
3.2
22.0
30.7
0.013
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.0
9.7
4.1
N/A
2007
121
82
0.46
0.12
22.9
3.1
20.2
27.1
0.016
N/A
N/A
N/A
11.6
9.8
4.9
N/A
2006
120
89
0.46
0.14
23.5
3.8
20.3
31.3
0.018
N/A
N/A
N/A
12.7
10.0
5.3
0.2
2005
110
92
0.54
0.15
25.5
4.4
19.7
29.0
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
10.7
6.7
0.2
2004
107
74
0.55
0.16
25.1
3.3
18.2
26.8
0.030
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
5.8
N/A
2003
110
85
0.63
0.26
26.9
4.2
18.9
28.9
0.022
N/A
26.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.0
0.1
2002
124
83
0.58
0.33
27.9
3.9
19.2
27.2
0.008
N/A
25.7
N/A
N/A
N/A
6.5
N/A
2001
124
83
0.60
0.31
28.8
4.2
19.3
25.5
0.020
N/A
24.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.8
N/A
2000
115
86
0.67
0.28
28.4
4.7
17.6
27.8
0.022
N/A
22.2
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.3
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Queens
Austin
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
54%
137.9%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
30.6%
80.4%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
19%
29%
Transportation
Public transportation in Queens is extensive, primarily managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Austin's public transit system, managed by Capital Metro, is not as comprehensive, but plans are underway to expand it.
Transport
Type
Queens
Austin
Amtrak stations
2
1
Amtrak stations nearby
3
1
FAA registered aircraft
4
911
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
0
21
Means of transportation to work
Type
Queens
Austin
Bicycle
0.3%
0.8%
Bus
10%
1.5%
Carpooled
10.2%
7.9%
Car alone
34.3%
85.9%
Motorcycle
0%
0.3%
Railroad
2.2%
0%
Streetcar
0.2%
0%
Subway
34.3%
0%
Taxicab
0.7%
0.1%
Walked
5.7%
2%
Average travel time to work
Type
Queens
Austin
Average
44 min
29.9 min
Real Estate
Real estate in Queens is considerably more expensive than in Austin, with a median home price notably higher than the national average. Conversely, Austin real estate offers more affordable options, although rising demand has elevated prices in recent years.
Neighborhoods
Queens is known for its diverse and vibrant neighborhoods like Astoria, Flushing, and Long Island City. Austin's neighborhoods, like Downtown Austin, South Congress, and Hyde Park, offer unique cultural experiences and community vibes.
Houses and residents
Type
Queens
Austin
Houses
817,250
469,156
Average household size (people)
2.8
2.4
Houses occupied
782,664 (95.8%)
449,399 (95.8%)
Houses occupied by owners
334,894 (42.8%)
196,458 (43.7%)
Houses occupied by renters
447,770 (57.2%)
252,941 (56.3%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,666
$1,286
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$615,765
$549,769
Estimated median house or condo value
$642,000
$482,900
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.7
3.4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
5.4
6
Renting percentage
57%
54.9%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
7,481.6
1,865.3
Household income disparities
44.9%
44.8%
Housing units without a mortgage
64,617 (34.6%)
1,799 (1.3%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
311 (0.2%)
6,421 (4.8%)
Housing units with a mortgage
122,366 (65.4%)
132,628 (98.7%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
9,927 (5.3%)
206 (0.2%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
10,707 (5.7%)
8,515 (6.3%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
1%
0.9%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
48,383
38,777
State government workers
21,536
46,229
Unpaid family workers
2,382
102
Industries and Occupations
Key employers in Queens span industries such as healthcare, retail, and education. Austin, known as "Silicon Hills," has a tech-centric job market, with companies in sectors like healthcare, education, and government also contributing significantly to job creation.
Queens offers quality healthcare with access to some of the country's best hospitals in and around New York City. Austin’s healthcare, characterized by excellent hospitals and a focus on cutting-edge medical research, ranks among the top in the state.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Queens
Austin
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Queens enjoys the infrastructure benefits of being part of New York City, including an extensive public transportation system. Conversely, Austin's infrastructure has been improving to cater to its rapidly growing population.
Infrastructure
Type
Queens
Austin
Hospitals
1
65
TV stations
30
20
Schools
School facilities
Type
Queens
Austin
Private elementary/middle schools
8
35
Private high schools
1
22
Public elementary/middle schools
6
184
Public high schools
2
54
Colleges/Universities
1
37
Culture and Food
Queens boasts a diverse culinary scene reflecting its international population. Austin is renowned for its food scene, particularly Tex-Mex and barbecue. Both cities have strong music and arts cultures, with Austin being known as the "Live Music Capital of the World."
Sports Teams
Queens hosts the New York Mets (MLB) and is near many other major NY sports teams. Austin has one major league sports team, Austin FC (MLS), but is home to the popular Texas Longhorns college sports teams.
Queens, NY
Austin, TX
Queens, NY and 
Austin, TX : 1,518.9 miles
