Cost of living in Austin

In Austin, United States, a single person typically needs around $2141 per month including rent. A family of four may spend about $4902 monthly.

How expensive is Austin compared to other cities?

Overall living costs in Austin are 50% more expensive than the European benchmark.

How does Austin compare to your city?

Austin is 50% cheaper than New York City, without rent.

Rent in Austin is, on average, 46% lower than in New York City.

What drives the cost of living in Austin?

Who is Austin a good fit for?

Austin is a better match for people who prioritize lifestyle benefits and can afford the premium driven by rent & utilities and transport. For most moderate-income households, housing costs are the main barrier.

FAQ

Why is Austin so expensive?

The primary reason for Austin's high cost of living is the significant expense associated with rent and utilities, which impacts overall affordability.

Is food expensive in Austin?

Food costs in Austin are 9% higher than the European benchmark, contributing to the overall expense of living.

Is public transport affordable in Austin?

Public transport in Austin is 38% lower than the European benchmark, making it a more budget-friendly option for residents.

Cost of living breakdown

Cost of Living, one person, including rent
2141 $
Without Rent
714 $
Rent & Utilities
1427 $
Food
518 $
Transport
46 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
4692 $
GDP per Capita
81,695 $
Freedom Index
8.39
Lifespan
77 years
Speak English
96%
Population
26.2K

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Update Prices

Restaurants

Lunch menu, inexpensive restaurant 17 $
Dinner 79.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 11.9 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 5.03 $
Capuccino 4.98 $
Coke, 330ml 2.3 $

Compare Austin with:

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 0.86 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 2.85 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.92 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.6 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.9 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 6.65 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 15 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.47 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.2 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.48 $
Tomato, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.73 $
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 1.65 $
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb 2.84 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.34 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.14 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 2.99 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.71 $
Cigarette pack 8.92 $

Transportation

One-way Ticket 2.05 $
Monthly Pass 57.4 $
Gas or Petrol, 1l or 0.26 gal 0.82 $
Taxi, 8 km 11.9 $

Personal Care

Doctor Visit, private clinic 95.2 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 7.99 $
Hair Shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz. 4.94 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.21 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.84 $

Utilities per Month

1 person, electricity, heating, water & garbage 92 $
Family of 4, electricity, heating, water & garbage 141 $
Internet plan, +60 Mbps 76.3 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,213 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 2,268 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,438 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,211 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 2,354 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 2,182 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 4,692 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.55%

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 56.8 $
Cinema, 1 seat 14.9 $
Haircut 15.4 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 89.8 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 63.3 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,373 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 11,817 $

Compare Austin with other top cities

Cayman Islands
Austin vs George Town (George Town is 70% more expensive)
Bahamas
Austin vs Nassau (Nassau is 29% more expensive) Austin vs Freeport (Freeport is 3% more expensive)
Vanuatu
Austin vs Port Vila (Port Vila is 10% more expensive) Austin vs Luganville (Luganville is 43% more expensive)
United States
Austin vs New York City (New York City is 89% more expensive) Austin vs Los Angeles (Los Angeles is 49% more expensive) Austin vs Chicago (Chicago is 25% more expensive) Austin vs Houston (Houston is 5% more expensive) Austin vs Phoenix (Phoenix is 11% more expensive) Austin vs Philadelphia (Philadelphia is 19% more expensive) Austin vs San Antonio (San Antonio is 2% more expensive) Austin vs San Diego (San Diego is 56% more expensive) Austin vs Dallas (Dallas is 19% more expensive) Austin vs San Jose (San Jose is 72% more expensive)
Canada
Austin vs Toronto (Toronto is 20% more expensive) Austin vs Montreal (Montreal is 9% less expensive) Austin vs Calgary (Calgary is 0% more expensive) Austin vs Ottawa (Ottawa is 4% more expensive) Austin vs Edmonton (Edmonton is 17% less expensive) Austin vs Winnipeg (Winnipeg is 18% less expensive) Austin vs Mississauga (Mississauga is 15% more expensive) Austin vs Vancouver (Vancouver is 24% more expensive) Austin vs Brampton (Brampton is 1% less expensive) Austin vs Hamilton (Hamilton is 1% more expensive)
Barbados
Austin vs Bridgetown (Bridgetown is 36% less expensive) Austin vs Holetown (Holetown is 35% less expensive)
Panama
Austin vs Panama City (Panama City is 35% less expensive) Austin vs Colon (Colon is 45% less expensive) Austin vs Tocumen (Tocumen is 43% less expensive) Austin vs Santiago de Veraguas (Santiago de Veraguas is 51% less expensive) Austin vs David (David is 61% less expensive) Austin vs La Chorrera (La Chorrera is 55% less expensive) Austin vs Balboa (Balboa is 42% less expensive) Austin vs Pacora (Pacora is 42% less expensive) Austin vs Chitre (Chitre is 49% less expensive) Austin vs Penonome (Penonome is 49% less expensive)
Saint Kitts And Nevis
Austin vs Basseterre (Basseterre is 42% less expensive) Austin vs Cayon (Cayon is 42% less expensive)
Cuba
Austin vs Havana (Havana is 52% less expensive) Austin vs Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba is 34% less expensive) Austin vs Holguin (Holguin is 40% less expensive) Austin vs Camaguey (Camaguey is 29% less expensive) Austin vs Santa Clara (Santa Clara is 51% less expensive) Austin vs Bayamo (Bayamo is 46% less expensive) Austin vs Guantanamo (Guantanamo is 27% less expensive) Austin vs Las Tunas (Las Tunas is 27% less expensive) Austin vs Pinar del Rio (Pinar del Rio is 49% less expensive) Austin vs Cienfuegos (Cienfuegos is 59% less expensive)
Costa Rica
Austin vs San Jose (San Jose is 42% less expensive) Austin vs Limon (Limon is 44% less expensive) Austin vs Liberia (Liberia is 58% less expensive) Austin vs Alajuela (Alajuela is 42% less expensive) Austin vs Puntarenas (Puntarenas is 40% less expensive) Austin vs Cartago (Cartago is 55% less expensive) Austin vs Heredia (Heredia is 42% less expensive) Austin vs Tamarindo (Tamarindo is 21% less expensive) Austin vs Santa Teresa (Santa Teresa is 39% less expensive)
Saint Lucia
Austin vs Castries (Castries is 46% less expensive) Austin vs Vieux Fort (Vieux Fort is 44% less expensive)
Jamaica
Austin vs Kingston (Kingston is 38% less expensive) Austin vs Spanish Town (Spanish Town is 63% less expensive) Austin vs Montego Bay (Montego Bay is 52% less expensive) Austin vs Half Way Tree (Half Way Tree is 46% less expensive) Austin vs May Pen (May Pen is 62% less expensive) Austin vs Mandeville (Mandeville is 54% less expensive) Austin vs Old Harbour (Old Harbour is 60% less expensive) Austin vs Linstead (Linstead is 51% less expensive) Austin vs Savanna-la-Mar (Savanna-la-Mar is 48% less expensive) Austin vs Port Antonio (Port Antonio is 47% less expensive)
El Salvador
Austin vs San Salvador (San Salvador is 44% less expensive) Austin vs Santa Ana (Santa Ana is 67% less expensive) Austin vs Soyapango (Soyapango is 45% less expensive) Austin vs San Miguel (San Miguel is 50% less expensive) Austin vs Mejicanos (Mejicanos is 46% less expensive) Austin vs Apopa (Apopa is 47% less expensive) Austin vs Santa Tecla (Santa Tecla is 44% less expensive) Austin vs Ahuachapan (Ahuachapan is 32% less expensive) Austin vs Usulutan (Usulutan is 49% less expensive) Austin vs Sonsonate (Sonsonate is 59% less expensive)
Antigua And Barbuda
Austin vs St. John's (St. John's is 49% less expensive) Austin vs All Saints (All Saints is 50% less expensive)
Grenada
Austin vs St. George's (St. George's is 50% less expensive) Austin vs Grenville (Grenville is 50% less expensive)
Dominica
Austin vs Roseau (Roseau is 53% less expensive) Austin vs Portsmouth (Portsmouth is 47% less expensive)
Saint Vincent
Austin vs Kingstown (Kingstown is 54% less expensive) Austin vs Georgetown (Georgetown is 53% less expensive)
Belize
Austin vs Belize City (Belize City is 59% less expensive) Austin vs San Ignacio (San Ignacio is 49% less expensive) Austin vs Belmopan (Belmopan is 66% less expensive) Austin vs San Pedro Town (San Pedro Town is 38% less expensive) Austin vs Caye Caulker (Caye Caulker is 27% less expensive)
Guatemala
Austin vs Guatemala City (Guatemala City is 53% less expensive) Austin vs Mixco (Mixco is 70% less expensive) Austin vs Coban (Coban is 57% less expensive) Austin vs Quetzaltenango (Quetzaltenango is 64% less expensive) Austin vs Jalapa (Jalapa is 58% less expensive) Austin vs San Miguel Petapa (San Miguel Petapa is 58% less expensive) Austin vs Momostenango (Momostenango is 59% less expensive) Austin vs Mazatenango (Mazatenango is 59% less expensive) Austin vs Flores (Flores is 60% less expensive) Austin vs Panajachel (Panajachel is 63% less expensive)
Honduras
Austin vs Tegucigalpa (Tegucigalpa is 61% less expensive) Austin vs San Pedro Sula (San Pedro Sula is 52% less expensive) Austin vs Choloma (Choloma is 72% less expensive) Austin vs La Ceiba (La Ceiba is 70% less expensive) Austin vs El Progreso (El Progreso is 59% less expensive) Austin vs Villanueva (Villanueva is 60% less expensive) Austin vs Comayagua (Comayagua is 67% less expensive) Austin vs Puerto Cortes (Puerto Cortes is 66% less expensive) Austin vs Yoro (Yoro is 66% less expensive) Austin vs La Lima (La Lima is 59% less expensive)
Dominican Republic
Austin vs Santiago de los Caballeros (Santiago de los Caballeros is 63% less expensive) Austin vs Santo Domingo (Santo Domingo is 51% less expensive) Austin vs Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata is 64% less expensive) Austin vs Higuey (Higuey is 64% less expensive) Austin vs La Vega (La Vega is 73% less expensive) Austin vs San Cristobal (San Cristobal is 61% less expensive) Austin vs San Pedro de Macoris (San Pedro de Macoris is 66% less expensive) Austin vs San Francisco de Macoris (San Francisco de Macoris is 75% less expensive) Austin vs San Juan de la Maguana (San Juan de la Maguana is 71% less expensive) Austin vs Bonao (Bonao is 75% less expensive)
Nicaragua
Austin vs Managua (Managua is 64% less expensive) Austin vs Leon (Leon is 70% less expensive) Austin vs Masaya (Masaya is 67% less expensive) Austin vs Matagalpa (Matagalpa is 74% less expensive) Austin vs Chinandega (Chinandega is 70% less expensive) Austin vs Esteli (Esteli is 72% less expensive) Austin vs Granada (Granada is 67% less expensive) Austin vs Jinotega (Jinotega is 79% less expensive) Austin vs Juigalpa (Juigalpa is 69% less expensive) Austin vs San Juan del Sur (San Juan del Sur is 58% less expensive)