Cost of Living Comparison Between Auburn, CA and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Auburn, CA and Austin, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,112 per month in Auburn, CA vs $2,695 in Austin, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,434 per month in Auburn, CA vs $4,184 in Austin, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,756 per month in Auburn, CA vs $5,674 in Austin, TX, rent included.

Auburn, CA costs about 15% more than Austin, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Auburn, CA and Austin, TX sit above the global median – Auburn, CA by 127%, Austin, TX by 96%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.26 $25.26

$19.82 $19.82

27.45%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.6 $88.6

$83.9 $83.9

5.66%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.02 $12.02

$12.30 $12.30

-2.28%

Cappuccino

$4.78 $4.78

$5.48 $5.48

-12.77%

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

$2.54 $2.54

$3.72 $3.72

-31.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.36 $2.36

-7.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.11 $5.11

$7.76 $7.76

-34.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.90 $6.90

$9.14 $9.14

-24.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.13 $1.13

11.50%

White Bread (500g)

$4.54 $4.54

$3.75 $3.75

21.07%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.98 $6.98

$3.43 $3.43

103.50%

Eggs

$3.27 $3.27

$4.35 $4.35

-24.83%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$22.42 $22.42

$13.14 $13.14

70.62%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$14.39 $14.39

12.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.72 $15.72

$17.20 $17.20

-8.60%

Apples (1kg)

$6.66 $6.66

$4.49 $4.49

48.33%

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.44 $1.44

19.44%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.52 $6.52

$4.67 $4.67

39.61%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.00 $6.00

$4.97 $4.97

20.72%

Potato (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$3.00 $3.00

71.00%

Onion (1kg)

$3.10 $3.10

$2.69 $2.69

15.24%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.85 $1.85

10.81%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$2.18 $2.18

2.29%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.61 $11.61

$9.45 $9.45

22.86%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.14 $12.14

$15.11 $15.11

-19.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.40 $1.40

$2.89 $2.89

-51.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$3.49 $3.49

-41.26%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.42 $3.42

$1.64 $1.64

108.54%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$89.6 $89.6

$40.44 $40.44

121.54%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.27 $3.27

$2.81 $2.81

16.37%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.58 $1.58

50.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$39.83 $39.83

$35.18 $35.18

13.22%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$0.90 $0.90

38.89%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$35.9K $35.9K

-9.83%

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

$24.0K $24.0K

$27.7K $27.7K

-13.09%

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

$191 $191

$222 $222

-14.13%

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

$50.6 $50.6

$58.3 $58.3

-13.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.6 $67.6

$69.1 $69.1

-2.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.9 $64.9

$66.2 $66.2

-1.90%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.76 $14.76

Cinema Ticket

$15.03 $15.03

$13.78 $13.78

9.07%

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

$2,817 $2,817

$1,526 $1,526

84.55%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,898 $5,898

$21.2K $21.2K

-72.18%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.7 $69.7

$54.6 $54.6

27.81%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.85 $45.85

$44.01 $44.01

4.18%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 $110

$89.7 $89.7

22.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$109 $109

32.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,834 $1,834

$1,942 $1,942

-5.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,591 $1,591

$1,258 $1,258

26.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,799 $2,799

$3,762 $3,762

-25.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,311 $2,311

$2,592 $2,592

-10.85%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 $3,265

$7,403 $7,403

-55.90%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,711 $2,711

$3,203 $3,203

-15.37%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,975 $3,975

$5,085 $5,085

-21.83%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.1

6.44

-5.28%

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

Last update for Auburn, CA: August 31, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,834 in Auburn, CA 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 28% 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 $89.0 in Auburn, CA versus $84.0 in Austin, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $486 vs $417 – making Austin, TX 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

Auburn, CA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,112 in Auburn, CA, $2,695 in Austin, TX – roughly 15% apart. Auburn, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,668 per month in Auburn, CA 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.

Kindergarten costs $2,817 per month in Auburn, CA and $1,526 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 Auburn, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,112 in Auburn, CA 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, Auburn, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.