same $100k income, fresh start from Austin

change
Miami, FL cityscape

swapping out of austin

Miami

fl · metro 6.2M

photo: Rolando Yera / unsplash

a dispatch from

miami

FL

25.77°N

80.19°W

Miami is Spanish before it's English, salsa before it's small talk, and a cortadito before it's a coffee. South Beach Art Deco glows pink at night, Wynwood is a city-sized mural, and the Cuban sandwiches in Little Havana could end fights. Summer is bath-warm ocean and ceiling fans turned up high, and October feels like everywhere else's perfect August. Bring linen.

metro6.2M

in our guides

#2

of 10

Best cities for remote workers

read the guide
#7

of 10

Low-tax cities with great weather

read the guide
#3

of 10

Most walkable cities in America

read the guide
#2

of 10

Best cities for health and wellness

read the guide
#1

of 10

Most livable cities in America

read the guide
#1

of 10

Best cities in states with no income tax

read the guide
#1

of 10

Best places to move in 2026

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for parks and green space

read the guide
#1

of 10

Best cities for work-life balance

read the guide
#2

of 10

Best cities to live in the South

read the guide
#1

of 10

Best cities on the East Coast

read the guide
#1

of 10

Best cities to live in Florida

read the guide
#5

of 10

Best cities to escape the heat

read the guide
#2

of 10

Best cities for a $100k salary

read the guide
#1

of 10

Best cities for a $150k salary

read the guide
#1

of 10

Best cities for a $200k salary

read the guide
#3

of 10

Best cities to live in the Southeast

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for outdoor athletes

read the guide
#6

of 10

Best cities with year-round outdoor weather

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for cyclists

read the guide
#4

of 10

Best cities for digital nomads

read the guide
#5

of 10

Best cities for dog owners

read the guide
#5

of 10

Best cities with mild winters

read the guide

01 · the verdict

the verdict

$1,082

more expensive each month than Austin

Miami doesn't pretend to be affordable. Move here for what Miami is, not for what it leaves on your monthly ledger.
landable, recorded on the miami entry

02 · the money

a quick ledger.

01rent

$2,665/mo

68% more expensive than Austin(vs $1,583/mo)

02state income tax

0%

vs 0% in Austin

03after rent

$5,668/mo

$1,082 less than Austin

gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.

04a house here

$565k

30% more expensive than Austin

vs $433k in Austin

05metro size

6.2M

vs 2.5M in Austin

03 · the life

field notes, weather & such.

272

pleasant days a year, in miami.

Austin barely cracks 170 pleasant ones.

722% more happening than in Austin.
on a typical month
·outdoorscore

77/100

38% higher than Austin

vs 56/100 in Austin

Closest outdoor draw: Everglades National Park Expansion, 20.4 mi.

·walk score®

97/100

2% lower than Austin

vs 99/100 in Austin

Walk Score® methodology

·nonstops

167

298% more than Austin

vs 42 nonstops in Austin

04 · see also

if miami appeals, also worth a look:

see also

los angeles

similar overall lifestyle

turn the page

see also

washington

better park access

turn the page

see also

orlando

$728/mo cheaper

turn the page

compare miami with:

Los AngelesWashingtonOrlando