Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Aberdeen, SD Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Aberdeen, SD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,719 per month in Austin, TX vs $2,528 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,117 per month in Austin, TX vs $3,632 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,515 per month in Austin, TX vs $4,735 in Aberdeen, SD, rent included.

Austin, TX costs about 8% more than Aberdeen, SD, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Austin, TX and Aberdeen, SD sit above the global median – Austin, TX by 103%, Aberdeen, SD by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.99 $19.99

$9.94 $9.94

101.11%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.2 $76.2

$64.5 $64.5

18.24%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.13 $10.13

$9.96 $9.96

1.71%

Cappuccino

$5.49 $5.49

$3.95 $3.95

38.99%

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

$2.72 $2.72

$2.78 $2.78

-2.16%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.14 $2.14

$1.48 $1.48

44.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.07 $6.07

$3.90 $3.90

55.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.04 $8.04

$7.13 $7.13

12.76%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.95 $0.95

14.74%

White Bread (500g)

$3.34 $3.34

$2.67 $2.67

25.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.42 $3.42

$5.28 $5.28

-35.23%

Eggs

$4.32 $4.32

$5.86 $5.86

-26.28%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.80 $11.80

$9.95 $9.95

18.59%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.68 $10.68

$9.89 $9.89

7.99%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$18.05 $18.05

-19.67%

Apples (1kg)

$4.79 $4.79

$4.13 $4.13

15.98%

Banana (1kg)

$1.50 $1.50

$2.46 $2.46

-39.02%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$3.49 $3.49

29.23%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$3.89 $3.89

3.86%

Potato (1kg)

$2.76 $2.76

$5.21 $5.21

-47.02%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.67 $2.67

4.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.04 $2.04

$2.96 $2.96

-31.08%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$4.91 $4.91

-56.21%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.23 $9.23

$9.64 $9.64

-4.25%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.81 $14.81

$30.26 $30.26

-51.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$1.85 $1.85

23.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.43 $3.43

2.92%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.52 $1.52

$1.96 $1.96

-22.45%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.64 $43.64

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.29 $4.29

$3.58 $3.58

19.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.66 $1.66

9.64%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.52 $35.52

$29.03 $29.03

22.36%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.77 $0.77

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

$25.6K $25.6K

$29.9K $29.9K

-14.23%

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$25.7K $25.7K

2.49%

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

$172 $172

$191 $191

-9.69%

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

$60.3 $60.3

$52.0 $52.0

15.87%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.2 $67.2

$25.20 $25.20

166.83%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.8 $62.8

$42.44 $42.44

48.07%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.85 $9.85

Cinema Ticket

$14.73 $14.73

$13.59 $13.59

8.39%

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

$1,398 $1,398

$1,292 $1,292

8.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$21.8K $21.8K

$23.7K $23.7K

-8.11%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 $55.1

$44.64 $44.64

23.50%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.66 $45.66

$24.55 $24.55

85.99%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.8 $86.8

$73.6 $73.6

17.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$115 $115

$113 $113

2.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,245 $2,245

$1,587 $1,587

41.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,401 $1,401

$1,356 $1,356

3.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,782 $3,782

$2,673 $2,673

41.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,708 $2,708

$2,180 $2,180

24.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,304 $7,304

$1,342 $1,342

444.38%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,331 $3,331

$1,342 $1,342

148.23%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,910 $4,910

$5,149 $5,149

-4.64%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.7

-3.73%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: April 20, 2026

Last update for Aberdeen, SD: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,245 in Austin, TX versus $1,587 in Aberdeen, SD. 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 5% higher in Aberdeen, SD, 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 $76 in Austin, TX versus $64 in Aberdeen, SD. Groceries tell a different story – $375 in Austin, TX vs $451 in Aberdeen, SD – 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

Austin, TX vs Aberdeen, SD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Austin, TX costs about 8% more than Aberdeen, SD, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,079 per month in Austin, TX and $3,792 in Aberdeen, SD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $76.0 in Austin, TX and $64.0 in Aberdeen, SD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 20% cheaper in Austin, TX – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Aberdeen, SD, where all-in costs run around $2,528, than in Austin, TX at $2,719. In Aberdeen, SD it covers expenses comfortably, while in Austin, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Aberdeen, SD. 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.