Cost of Living Comparison Between Albany, GA and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Albany, GA and Austin, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,427 per month in Albany, GA vs $2,659 in Austin, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,473 per month in Albany, GA vs $4,101 in Austin, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,519 per month in Albany, GA vs $5,542 in Austin, TX, rent included.

Albany, GA is about 9% cheaper than Austin, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Albany, GA and Austin, TX sit above the global median – Albany, GA by 81%, Austin, TX by 98%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.06 $20.06

$19.63 $19.63

2.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$59.0 $59.0

$75.1 $75.1

-21.49%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.76 $11.76

$9.92 $9.92

18.55%

Cappuccino

$4.82 $4.82

$5.67 $5.67

-14.99%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.77 $2.77

-6.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$2.17 $2.17

4.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.87 $4.87

$5.84 $5.84

-16.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.26 $5.26

$7.77 $7.77

-32.30%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 $1.10

$1.09 $1.09

0.92%

White Bread (500g)

$1.54 $1.54

$3.41 $3.41

-54.84%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.09 $2.09

$3.43 $3.43

-39.07%

Eggs

$4.15 $4.15

$4.39 $4.39

-5.47%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.36 $7.36

$11.95 $11.95

-38.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.20 $9.20

$10.76 $10.76

-14.50%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.42 $10.42

$14.29 $14.29

-27.08%

Apples (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.84 $4.84

-5.79%

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 $1.47

$1.55 $1.55

-5.16%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.29 $3.29

$4.46 $4.46

-26.23%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.16 $4.16

$3.91 $3.91

6.39%

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 $2.82

$2.74 $2.74

2.92%

Onion (1kg)

$3.40 $3.40

$2.74 $2.74

24.09%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.04 $2.04

43.14%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.25 $2.25

15.56%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.96 $7.96

$8.93 $8.93

-10.86%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.92 $14.92

$14.85 $14.85

0.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.35 $2.35

-15.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.44 $3.44

$3.57 $3.57

-3.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.66 $1.66

$1.47 $1.47

12.93%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.03 $45.03

$42.98 $42.98

4.77%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.28 $4.28

-7.71%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.84 $1.84

33.70%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.89 $24.89

$35.54 $35.54

-29.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$0.72 $0.72

20.83%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.5K $26.5K

$25.7K $25.7K

2.96%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.4K $25.4K

$26.2K $26.2K

-2.93%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$184 $184

$174 $174

6.06%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$43.10 $43.10

$60.2 $60.2

-28.45%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.8 $59.8

$66.3 $66.3

-9.76%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.96 $14.96

$62.8 $62.8

-76.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.83 $9.83

Cinema Ticket

$11.17 $11.17

$15.24 $15.24

-26.71%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$738 $738

$1,387 $1,387

-46.77%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.2K $11.2K

$22.2K $22.2K

-49.35%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.5 $56.5

$56.7 $56.7

-0.35%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.84 $45.84

$45.34 $45.34

1.10%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.9 $86.9

$86.5 $86.5

0.53%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$87.3 $87.3

$119 $119

-26.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,317 $1,317

$2,247 $2,247

-41.38%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,283 $1,283

$1,430 $1,430

-10.34%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,456 $2,456

$3,778 $3,778

-34.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,031 $2,031

$2,641 $2,641

-23.08%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,232 $1,232

$7,044 $7,044

-82.50%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,244 $1,244

$3,162 $3,162

-60.66%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,965 $2,965

$5,108 $5,108

-41.95%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.45

1.24%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Albany, GA: June 2, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,317 in Albany, GA versus $2,247 in Austin, TX. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 72% higher in Austin, TX, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $59.0 in Albany, GA versus $75.0 in Austin, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $321 vs $377 – making Albany, GA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Albany, GA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Austin, TX is pricier by about 10%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,640 per month in Albany, GA and $3,989 in Austin, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Albany, GA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $738 per month in Albany, GA and $1,387 in Austin, TX. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 17% more in Austin, TX, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Albany, GA, where all-in costs run around $2,427, than in Austin, TX at $2,659. In Albany, GA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Austin, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Albany, GA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Albany, GA. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Austin, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.