Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Akita

For one person, living is cheaper in Akita: $1,213 a month against $2,698 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $17,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,698
/mo nomad
Akita
🇯🇵 Japan
$1,213
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Austin, TX and in Akita

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Austin, TX and in Akita actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,698 per month in Austin, TX vs $1,213 in Akita, rent included.

  • Austin, TX $2,698
  • Akita $1,213

A couple spends around $4,160 per month in Austin, TX vs $1,904 in Akita, rent included.

  • Austin, TX $4,160
  • Akita $1,904

A family of three spends $5,622 per month in Austin, TX vs $2,596 in Akita, rent included.

  • Austin, TX $5,622
  • Akita $2,596

Austin, TX costs about 122% more than Akita, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Austin, TX sits 99% above the global median, while Akita is 11% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Akita
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.63 $20.63
$6.21 ¥981
232.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$31.98 ¥5,052
164.45%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.07 $12.07
$4.90 ¥775
146.33%
Cappuccino
$5.48 $5.48
$3.54 ¥559
54.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80 $3.80
$0.99 ¥156
283.84%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 $2.47
$0.81 ¥128
204.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$1.93 ¥306
317.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.88 $8.88
$3.12 ¥493
184.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Akita
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.11 $1.11
$1.52 ¥240
-26.97%
White Bread (500g)
$3.72 $3.72
$1.59 ¥252
133.96%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.37 $3.37
$4.11 ¥650
-18.00%
Eggs
$4.32 $4.32
$2.04 ¥323
111.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.13 $13.13
$10.19 ¥1,610
28.85%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.15 $14.15
$6.52 ¥1,031
117.02%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.33 $16.33
$16.23 ¥2,565
0.62%
Apples (1kg)
$4.55 $4.55
$3.63 ¥573
25.34%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$2.25 ¥355
-35.11%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$2.83 ¥448
66.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.15 $4.15
$4.20 ¥663
-1.19%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$2.43 ¥384
6.17%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.48 ¥392
-5.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.29 ¥204
37.21%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$0.81 ¥127
164.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.10 $10.10
$4.01 ¥634
151.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.19 $15.19
$6.58 ¥1,039
130.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 $2.82
$1.88 ¥296
50.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$2.07 ¥327
66.18%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Akita
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.54 $1.54
$1.51 ¥239
1.99%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.99 $40.99
$54.0 ¥8,525
-24.04%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.80 $2.80
$3.19 ¥503
-12.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.60 $1.60
$2.79 ¥440
-42.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.34 $34.34
$18.55 ¥2,931
85.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$1.31 ¥207
-28.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0K $34.0K
$21.7K ¥3.4M
56.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K $26.8K
$15.2K ¥2.4M
76.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Akita
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$223 $223
$135 ¥21.3K
65.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$24.50 ¥3,871
140.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.6 $70.6
$31.46 ¥4,971
124.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Akita
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.7 $57.7
$52.7 ¥8,332
9.40%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.53 $16.53
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.26 $14.26
$11.84 ¥1,870
20.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Akita
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,511 $1,511
$507 ¥80.1K
198.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.9K $20.9K
$12.7K ¥2.0M
64.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Akita
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$41.47 ¥6,552
23.63%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.17 $44.17
$46.21 ¥7,301
-4.41%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.0 $87.0
$84.7 ¥13.4K
2.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 $104
$88.0 ¥13.9K
18.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Akita
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,940 $1,940
$526 ¥83.1K
269.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 $1,316
$336 ¥53.1K
291.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$1,089 ¥172.1K
236.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,565 $2,565
$723 ¥114.1K
255.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,354 $7,354
$4,173 ¥659.3K
76.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,129 $3,129
$1,782 ¥281.5K
75.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Akita
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,286 $5,286
$1,613 ¥254.9K
227.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
2.21
207.24%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 19, 2026

Last update for Akita: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Akita
$336 74.5% $980
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$406
Akita
$285 29.7% $121
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$352
Akita
$191 45.9% $162
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$350
Akita
$130 62.9% $220
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$129
Akita
$117 9.2% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Akita
$76 11.4% $9.8
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$58
Akita
$77 33.1% $19

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,940 in Austin, TX versus $526 in Akita. 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 228% 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 $85.0 in Austin, TX versus $32.00 in Akita. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $406 vs $285 – making Akita the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇯🇵 Akita
🕒 Local time
11:07 11:07 AM
01:07 1:07 AM
14 h ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
307,672
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

JPY, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Japanese Yen exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 158 JPY (1,000 JPY = 6.33 USD). 1 EUR = 178 JPY (1,000 JPY = 5.63 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Akita 10,210 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Akita

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Akita: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Akita?
Austin, TX costs about 122% more than Akita, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Austin, TX and in Akita?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,046 per month in Austin, TX and $1,819 in Akita. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Austin, TX or Akita?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Akita, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to Akita?
Public transport costs about 32% less in Akita. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Austin, TX and in Akita?
Kindergarten costs $1,511 per month in Austin, TX and $507 in Akita. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Austin, TX or in Akita?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Akita, where all-in costs run around $1,213, than in Austin, TX at $2,698. In Akita it covers expenses comfortably, while in Austin, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Akita – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Austin, TX compared to Akita?
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.
Should I move to Austin, TX or to Akita?
If budget matters most, go with Akita. 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.

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