Cost of Living Comparison Between Aspen, CO and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Aspen, CO and Austin, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $5,177 per month in Aspen, CO vs $2,695 in Austin, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,496 per month in Aspen, CO vs $4,184 in Austin, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,815 per month in Aspen, CO vs $5,674 in Austin, TX, rent included.

Aspen, CO costs about 92% more than Austin, TX, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Aspen, CO and Austin, TX sit above the global median – Aspen, CO by 277%, Austin, TX by 96%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.78 $19.78

$19.82 $19.82

-0.20%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.5 $78.5

$83.9 $83.9

-6.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.93 $10.93

$12.30 $12.30

-11.14%

Cappuccino

$5.48 $5.48

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

$3.59 $3.59

$3.72 $3.72

-3.49%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 $2.86

$2.36 $2.36

21.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.89 $6.89

$7.76 $7.76

-11.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.79 $8.79

$9.14 $9.14

-3.83%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.13 $1.13

3.54%

White Bread (500g)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.75 $3.75

49.60%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.46 $6.46

$3.43 $3.43

88.34%

Eggs

$5.64 $5.64

$4.35 $4.35

29.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.56 $11.56

$13.14 $13.14

-12.02%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.13 $11.13

$14.39 $14.39

-22.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.98 $17.98

$17.20 $17.20

4.53%

Apples (1kg)

$5.71 $5.71

$4.49 $4.49

27.17%

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 $1.44

Oranges (1kg)

$6.21 $6.21

$4.67 $4.67

32.98%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.19 $6.19

$4.97 $4.97

24.55%

Potato (1kg)

$3.93 $3.93

$3.00 $3.00

31.00%

Onion (1kg)

$3.68 $3.68

$2.69 $2.69

36.80%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.48 $3.48

$1.85 $1.85

88.11%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.64 $2.64

$2.18 $2.18

21.10%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.71 $10.71

$9.45 $9.45

13.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.05 $17.05

$15.11 $15.11

12.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.84 $1.84

$2.89 $2.89

-36.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.10 $5.10

$3.49 $3.49

46.13%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.64 $1.64

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$89.8 $89.8

$40.44 $40.44

122.03%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.81 $2.81

-12.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.58 $1.58

-10.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.02 $24.02

$35.18 $35.18

-31.72%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.02 $1.02

$0.90 $0.90

13.33%

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

$34.8K $34.8K

$35.9K $35.9K

-2.97%

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

$24.8K $24.8K

$27.7K $27.7K

-10.48%

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

$150 $150

$222 $222

-32.30%

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

$70.7 $70.7

$58.3 $58.3

21.34%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.0 $74.0

$69.1 $69.1

7.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$137 $137

$66.2 $66.2

106.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.76 $14.76

Cinema Ticket

$16.46 $16.46

$13.78 $13.78

19.45%

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

$1,625 $1,625

$1,526 $1,526

6.48%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$21.2K $21.2K

47.49%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$67.7 $67.7

$54.6 $54.6

24.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$49.21 $49.21

$44.01 $44.01

11.82%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.4 $90.4

$89.7 $89.7

0.76%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$109 $109

33.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,116 $4,116

$1,942 $1,942

111.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,601 $3,601

$1,258 $1,258

186.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$7,940 $7,940

$3,762 $3,762

111.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$6,417 $6,417

$2,592 $2,592

147.54%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.9K $10.9K

$7,403 $7,403

47.51%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,662 $7,662

$3,203 $3,203

139.18%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,032 $5,032

$5,085 $5,085

-1.04%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.09

6.44

-5.43%

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

Last update for Aspen, CO: August 30, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,116 in Aspen, CO versus $1,942 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 1% higher in Austin, TX, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Aspen, CO versus $84.0 in Austin, TX. Groceries tell a different story – $472 in Aspen, CO vs $417 in Austin, TX – so Austin, TX wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Aspen, CO vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Aspen, CO costs about 92% more than Austin, TX, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,766 per month in Aspen, CO and $4,042 in Austin, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 13% more in Aspen, CO, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Aspen, CO and $84.0 in Austin, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $5,177 in Aspen, CO and $2,695 in Austin, TX. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Austin, TX – 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 Austin, TX. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Aspen, CO makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.