Would you live in a major city if the cost of living were as low as a Texan city?

[schmidty223]

I live in Texas. Seems everythin you want is here in Texas. We've got big cities and small cities and great prices compared to other states. I have to move to Kansas next year and their house prices are a bit higher but would be much better if they were cheap like the house we got now in Texas.

[quesera]

Originally Posted by schmidty223

I live in Texas. Seems everythin you want is here in Texas. We've got big cities and small cities and great prices compared to other states. I have to move to Kansas next year and their house prices are a bit higher but would be much better if they were cheap like the house we got now in Texas.

Funny, I've been looking at homes in small towns in the Austin area and they seem to be a little more expensive than in Kansas. When you factor in the property taxes, they're a LOT more expensive. Plus, very few have basements. In Salina, where it looks like you're moving to, most homes have basements and property taxes are fairly low.

In Kansas, there is state income tax, so that may be a big factor in the difference in property taxes. We also have sales tax on food. I don't know if Tx. taxes groceries, or not.

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[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by quesera

Funny, I've been looking at homes in small towns in the Austin area and they seem to be a little more expensive than in Kansas. When you factor in the property taxes, they're a LOT more expensive. Plus, very few have basements. In Salina, where it looks like you're moving to, most homes have basements and property taxes are fairly low.

In Kansas, there is state income tax, so that may be a big factor in the difference in property taxes. We also have sales tax on food. I don't know if Tx. taxes groceries, or not.

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You can do a cost of living comparison by clicking on the above link and entering the pertinent information.

Austin is THE most expensive city to live in Texas. I thought everyone knew that already.

[quesera]

Well, I didn't. Never been there.

[LauraC]

Don't like big cities. Too many people. Too little nature.

[sliverbox]

Do you work for the chamber of commerce in Texas? Just as an FYI, the high-priced places on your list pay subsequent high salaries so that those living there can afford it.

Not really. I have lived in both "Areas". I grew up in the South and have lived in MA and CA. The pay is indeed higher in a lot of the larger more established cities but then again the cost of living is also considerably elevated. For example, houses in the Bay Area where I live now cost around $500,000 on average. In other words you should be making around $150,000 a year or so in order to buy a home here and of that home- those $500,000 houses tend to be the equivalent of a small starter home in the rest of the country. So yes- wages are higher but the cost of living in a lot of these larger metros outstrips that advantage.