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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,659 per month in Austin, TX vs $2,838 in Aspen, CO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,101 per month in Austin, TX vs $4,157 in Aspen, CO, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,542 per month in Austin, TX vs $5,476 in Aspen, CO, rent included.

Austin, TX is about 6% cheaper than Aspen, CO, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Austin, TX and Aspen, CO sit above the global median – Austin, TX by 98%, Aspen, CO by 112%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.63 $19.63

$25.28 $25.28

-22.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.1 $75.1

$68.7 $68.7

9.35%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.92 $9.92

$10.94 $10.94

-9.32%

Cappuccino

$5.67 $5.67

$5.96 $5.96

-4.87%

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

$2.77 $2.77

$3.63 $3.63

-23.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$2.76 $2.76

-21.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.84 $5.84

$7.79 $7.79

-25.03%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.77 $7.77

$7.83 $7.83

-0.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.16 $1.16

-6.03%

White Bread (500g)

$3.41 $3.41

$5.28 $5.28

-35.42%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.43 $3.43

$6.81 $6.81

-49.63%

Eggs

$4.39 $4.39

$5.71 $5.71

-23.12%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.95 $11.95

$13.13 $13.13

-8.99%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.76 $10.76

$16.88 $16.88

-36.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.29 $14.29

$16.90 $16.90

-15.44%

Apples (1kg)

$4.84 $4.84

$5.27 $5.27

-8.16%

Banana (1kg)

$1.55 $1.55

$1.47 $1.47

5.44%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.46 $4.46

$6.13 $6.13

-27.24%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.91 $3.91

$6.03 $6.03

-35.16%

Potato (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$4.09 $4.09

-33.01%

Onion (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$3.79 $3.79

-27.70%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.04 $2.04

$3.08 $3.08

-33.77%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.25 $2.25

$2.64 $2.64

-14.77%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.93 $8.93

$11.99 $11.99

-25.52%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.85 $14.85

$17.05 $17.05

-12.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.91 $1.91

23.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$3.05 $3.05

17.05%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.47 $1.47

$3.45 $3.45

-57.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$42.98 $42.98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.28 $4.28

$2.53 $2.53

69.17%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.84 $1.84

$1.37 $1.37

34.31%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.54 $35.54

$23.77 $23.77

49.52%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.72 $0.72

$0.84 $0.84

-14.29%

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

$25.7K $25.7K

$35.2K $35.2K

-26.84%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.5K $25.5K

2.46%

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

$174 $174

$149 $149

16.34%

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

$60.2 $60.2

$59.1 $59.1

2.02%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.3 $66.3

$70.9 $70.9

-6.54%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$62.8 $62.8

$133 $133

-52.80%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.83 $9.83

Cinema Ticket

$15.24 $15.24

$16.61 $16.61

-8.25%

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

$1,387 $1,387

$1,432 $1,432

-3.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.2K $22.2K

$30.6K $30.6K

-27.68%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.7 $56.7

$71.3 $71.3

-20.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.34 $45.34

$48.55 $48.55

-6.61%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.5 $86.5

$91.5 $91.5

-5.47%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 $119

$147 $147

-19.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,247 $2,247

$2,600 $2,600

-13.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,430 $1,430

$1,343 $1,343

6.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,778 $3,778

$2,675 $2,675

41.24%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,641 $2,641

$2,261 $2,261

16.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,044 $7,044

$10.9K $10.9K

-35.44%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,162 $3,162

$7,466 $7,466

-57.65%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,108 $5,108

$4,911 $4,911

4.02%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.42

0.47%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: May 31, 2026

Last update for Aspen, CO: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,247 in Austin, TX versus $2,600 in Aspen, CO. 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 4% 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 $75.0 in Austin, TX versus $69.0 in Aspen, CO. Groceries tell a different story – $377 in Austin, TX vs $492 in Aspen, CO – 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 Aspen, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Aspen, CO costs about 7% more than Austin, TX, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,989 per month in Austin, TX and $4,256 in Aspen, CO. 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $75.0 in Austin, TX and $69.0 in Aspen, CO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 31% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,659 in Austin, TX and $2,838 in Aspen, CO. 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.