Austin, TX vs Hays, KS
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Austin
68.3
#1322 nationally
Hays
77.6
#231 nationally
Hays leads in average commute (11.8 min vs 26.8 min). Austin leads in median household income ($91,461 vs $55,349). Hays leads in cost of living index (95 vs 129).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Austin, TX | Hays, KS |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 68.3 (#1322) | 77.6 (#231) |
| Population | 967,862 | 21,040 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $504,148 | $257,712 |
| Median Household Income | $91,461 | $55,349 |
| Average Commute | 26.8 min | 11.8 min |
| Walk Score | 42 | 39 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 6.4 |
| School Rating | 7.2 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 129 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+39.3 | R+46.1 |
D+
68.3 Score
Austin, TX
Live music capital meets tech innovation
Median Home
$504,148
Population
967,862
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southwest
View Austin, TX →
C+
77.6 Score
Hays, KS
Small Kansas city with local appeal
Median Home
$257,712
Population
21,040
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
39
Midwest
View Hays, KS →
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