City comparison

Austin vs Edinburgh

Austin scores higher on salary; Austin has a lower cost of living. Compare Austin and Edinburgh on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

Austin scores higher overall

Edinburgh is a step down on both savings and career opportunity

How they compare

If you want to save more

AustinOverall fitEdinburgh
72 / 45+27 Austin
AustinSavingsEdinburgh
71 / 39+32 Austin
AustinCareerEdinburgh
78 / 58+20 Austin
AustinLow pressureEdinburgh
67 / 49+18 Austin

If you want career growth

AustinOverall fitEdinburgh
74 / 52+22 Austin
AustinSavingsEdinburgh
71 / 39+32 Austin
AustinCareerEdinburgh
78 / 58+20 Austin
AustinLow pressureEdinburgh
67 / 49+18 Austin

If you want better balance

AustinOverall fitEdinburgh
72 / 58+14 Austin
AustinSavingsEdinburgh
71 / 39+32 Austin
AustinCareerEdinburgh
78 / 58+20 Austin
AustinLow pressureEdinburgh
67 / 49+18 Austin

Financial impact: moving from Austin to Edinburgh

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$3,050
Monthly
-$36,600
1 year
-$109,800
3 years

Moving from Austin to Edinburgh: trade-offs

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Edinburgh is 32 points lower on savings capacity
-$3,050/mo estimated net reduction — $36,600 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
Higher cost pressure — rent will consume a larger share of your income

Austin

US
Salary index
82
Cost index
58
Rent pressure
33
Opportunity
76

Edinburgh

GB
Salary index
50
Cost index
64
Rent pressure
51
Opportunity
62

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