πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $2,895 in Astoria, NY versus $2,659 in Austin, TX.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $3,904 in Astoria, NY versus $4,101 in Austin, TX.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,912 in Astoria, NY versus $5,542 in Austin, TX.
πLiving in Astoria, NY is roughly 9% more expensive than Austin, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Astoria, NY116% above, Austin, TX98% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Astoria, NY
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.75$16.75
$19.63$19.63
-14.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.2$59.2
$75.1$75.1
-21.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.06$7.06
$9.92$9.92
-28.83%
Cappuccino
$3.36$3.36
$5.67$5.67
-40.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79$1.79
$2.77$2.77
-35.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54$1.54
$2.17$2.17
-29.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.93$4.93
$5.84$5.84
-15.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.71$7.71
$7.77$7.77
-0.77%
π Groceries & Markets
Astoria, NY
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11$1.11
$1.09$1.09
1.83%
White Bread(500g)
$3.60$3.60
$3.41$3.41
5.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.33$2.33
$3.43$3.43
-32.07%
Eggs
$2.95$2.95
$4.39$4.39
-32.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.91$10.91
$11.95$11.95
-8.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.89$7.89
$10.76$10.76
-26.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.01$10.01
$14.29$14.29
-29.95%
Apples(1kg)
$2.72$2.72
$4.84$4.84
-43.80%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81$1.81
$1.55$1.55
16.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.99$2.99
$4.46$4.46
-32.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.05$3.05
$3.91$3.91
-21.99%
Potato(1kg)
$1.68$1.68
$2.74$2.74
-38.69%
Onion(1kg)
$1.95$1.95
$2.74$2.74
-28.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.54$1.54
$2.04$2.04
-24.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.46$1.46
$2.25$2.25
-35.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.72$14.72
$8.93$8.93
64.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.71$19.71
$14.85$14.85
32.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68$1.68
$2.35$2.35
-28.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52$3.52
$3.57$3.57
-1.40%
π Getting Around
Astoria, NY
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.92$2.92
$1.47$1.47
98.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$132$132
$42.98$42.98
207.79%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.93$2.93
$4.28$4.28
-31.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.22$2.22
$1.84$1.84
20.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$42.29$42.29
$35.54$35.54
18.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91$0.91
$0.72$0.72
26.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1K$25.1K
$25.7K$25.7K
-2.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K$24.0K
$26.2K$26.2K
-8.30%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Astoria, NY
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$101$101
$174$174
-42.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.32$36.32
$60.2$60.2
-39.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.88$29.88
$66.3$66.3
-54.90%
π Sport & Entertainment
Astoria, NY
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$70.3$70.3
$62.8$62.8
12.05%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$9.83$9.83
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.45$17.45
$15.24$15.24
14.50%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Astoria, NY
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,907$1,907
$1,387$1,387
37.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.3K$14.3K
$22.2K$22.2K
-35.37%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Astoria, NY
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.19$25.19
$56.7$56.7
-55.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.36$20.36
$45.34$45.34
-55.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$29.54$29.54
$86.5$86.5
-65.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$50.3$50.3
$119$119
-57.73%
π Accommodation & Living
Astoria, NY
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,240$2,240
$2,247$2,247
-0.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,830$1,830
$1,430$1,430
27.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,741$3,741
$3,778$3,778
-0.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,549$2,549
$2,641$2,641
-3.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$7,044$7,044
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,162$3,162
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Astoria, NY
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$5,108$5,108
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.51
6.45
0.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Astoria, NY: May 30, 2026
Last update for Austin, TX: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,240 in Astoria, NY and $2,247 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
πDining out: $59.0 in Astoria, NY vs $75.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $310 vs $377 per month, with Astoria, NY cheaper across the board.
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
Astoria, NY vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Astoria, NY and Austin, TX?
Astoria, NY and Austin, TX differ by about 9% in total monthly costs ($2,895 vs $2,659 including rent). Austin, TX is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Astoria, NY compared to Austin, TX?
You'd need roughly $4,343 in Astoria, NY and $3,989 in Austin, TX to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Astoria, NY and Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,240 in Astoria, NY versus $2,247 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Astoria, NY or Austin, TX?
All in, you'll spend $2,895 per month in Astoria, NY versus $2,659 in Austin, TX β a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Astoria, NY and Austin, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Austin, TX runs roughly 208% less than in Astoria, NY. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is feasible on a $2,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Austin, TX is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Astoria, NY and Austin, TX?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Astoria, NY or Austin, TX safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Astoria, NY and Austin, TX are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Astoria, NY or Austin, TX?
Expats usually find Austin, TX gentler on the wallet β expenses run 9% less than in Astoria, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Astoria, NY vs other spots: cost of living compared