Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Athens, TN Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Athens, TN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,695 per month in Austin, TX vs $1,942 in Athens, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,184 per month in Austin, TX vs $2,788 in Athens, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,674 per month in Austin, TX vs $3,634 in Athens, TN, rent included.

Austin, TX costs about 39% more than Athens, TN, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Austin, TX and Athens, TN sit above the global median – Austin, TX by 96%, Athens, TN by 41%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.82 $19.82

$22.13 $22.13

-10.44%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$83.9 $83.9

$34.86 $34.86

140.65%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.30 $12.30

$11.45 $11.45

7.42%

Cappuccino

$5.48 $5.48

$2.99 $2.99

83.28%

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

$3.72 $3.72

$2.06 $2.06

80.58%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.21 $2.21

6.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.76 $7.76

$7.32 $7.32

6.01%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.14 $9.14

$8.04 $8.04

13.68%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.13 $1.13

$0.87 $0.87

29.89%

White Bread (500g)

$3.75 $3.75

$2.34 $2.34

60.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.43 $3.43

$3.77 $3.77

-9.02%

Eggs

$4.35 $4.35

$4.83 $4.83

-9.94%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.14 $13.14

$14.69 $14.69

-10.55%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.39 $14.39

$6.54 $6.54

120.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.20 $17.20

$11.13 $11.13

54.54%

Apples (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$4.47 $4.47

0.45%

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 $1.44

$1.41 $1.41

2.13%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.67 $4.67

$5.82 $5.82

-19.76%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

$5.22 $5.22

-4.79%

Potato (1kg)

$3.00 $3.00

$3.71 $3.71

-19.14%

Onion (1kg)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.71 $2.71

-0.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.85 $1.85

$2.18 $2.18

-15.14%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.88 $1.88

15.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.45 $9.45

$7.17 $7.17

31.80%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.11 $15.11

$14.86 $14.86

1.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.89 $2.89

$1.99 $1.99

45.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 $3.49

$4.96 $4.96

-29.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.64 $1.64

$2.02 $2.02

-18.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.44 $40.44

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.81 $2.81

$3.46 $3.46

-18.79%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.45 $1.45

8.97%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.18 $35.18

$23.66 $23.66

48.69%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90 $0.90

$0.80 $0.80

12.50%

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

$35.9K $35.9K

$36.2K $36.2K

-0.95%

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

$27.7K $27.7K

$26.3K $26.3K

5.21%

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

$222 $222

$198 $198

12.26%

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

$58.3 $58.3

$71.5 $71.5

-18.53%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.1 $69.1

$56.9 $56.9

21.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$66.2 $66.2

$41.18 $41.18

60.66%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.76 $14.76

Cinema Ticket

$13.78 $13.78

$7.85 $7.85

75.54%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$1,885 $1,885

-19.05%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$21.2K $21.2K

$22.9K $22.9K

-7.45%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.6 $54.6

$53.8 $53.8

1.43%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.01 $44.01

$44.41 $44.41

-0.90%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.7 $89.7

$96.2 $96.2

-6.74%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 $109

0.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,942 $1,942

$873 $873

122.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,258 $1,258

$710 $710

77.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,762 $3,762

$1,449 $1,449

159.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,592 $2,592

$1,166 $1,166

122.35%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,403 $7,403

$2,804 $2,804

163.98%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,203 $3,203

$2,351 $2,351

36.29%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,085 $5,085

$8,219 $8,219

-38.13%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.2

3.87%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: August 31, 2026

Last update for Athens, TN: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,942 in Austin, TX versus $873 in Athens, TN. 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 62% higher in Athens, TN, 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 $84.0 in Austin, TX versus $35.00 in Athens, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $417 vs $354 – making Athens, TN 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

Austin, TX vs Athens, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Austin, TX costs about 39% more than Athens, TN, 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 $4,042 per month in Austin, TX and $2,912 in Athens, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Athens, TN, 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 $84.0 in Austin, TX and $35.00 in Athens, TN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 18% more in Austin, TX, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Athens, TN, where all-in costs run around $1,942, than in Austin, TX at $2,695. In Athens, TN it covers expenses comfortably, while in Austin, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Athens, TN – 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 Athens, TN. 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.