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

Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

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

Austin, TX is about 13% cheaper than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

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

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.82 $19.82

$25.26 $25.26

-21.54%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$83.9 $83.9

$88.6 $88.6

-5.36%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.30 $12.30

$12.02 $12.02

2.33%

Cappuccino

$5.48 $5.48

$4.78 $4.78

14.64%

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

$3.72 $3.72

$2.54 $2.54

46.46%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.19 $2.19

7.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.76 $7.76

$5.11 $5.11

51.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.14 $9.14

$6.90 $6.90

32.46%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.13 $1.13

$1.26 $1.26

-10.32%

White Bread (500g)

$3.75 $3.75

$4.54 $4.54

-17.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.43 $3.43

$6.98 $6.98

-50.86%

Eggs

$4.35 $4.35

$3.27 $3.27

33.03%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.14 $13.14

$22.42 $22.42

-41.39%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.39 $14.39

$16.21 $16.21

-11.23%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.20 $17.20

$15.72 $15.72

9.41%

Apples (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$6.66 $6.66

-32.58%

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 $1.44

$1.72 $1.72

-16.28%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.67 $4.67

$6.52 $6.52

-28.37%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

$6.00 $6.00

-17.17%

Potato (1kg)

$3.00 $3.00

$5.13 $5.13

-41.52%

Onion (1kg)

$2.69 $2.69

$3.10 $3.10

-13.23%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.85 $1.85

$2.05 $2.05

-9.76%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$2.23 $2.23

-2.24%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.45 $9.45

$11.61 $11.61

-18.60%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.11 $15.11

$12.14 $12.14

24.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.89 $2.89

$1.40 $1.40

106.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 $3.49

$2.05 $2.05

70.24%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.64 $1.64

$3.42 $3.42

-52.05%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$40.44 $40.44

$89.6 $89.6

-54.86%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.81 $2.81

$3.27 $3.27

-14.07%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$2.37 $2.37

-33.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.18 $35.18

$39.83 $39.83

-11.67%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.90 $0.90

$1.25 $1.25

-28.00%

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

$35.9K $35.9K

$32.3K $32.3K

10.90%

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

$27.7K $27.7K

$24.0K $24.0K

15.07%

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

$222 $222

$191 $191

16.45%

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

$58.3 $58.3

$50.6 $50.6

15.09%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$69.1 $69.1

$67.6 $67.6

2.20%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$66.2 $66.2

$64.9 $64.9

1.94%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.76 $14.76

Cinema Ticket

$13.78 $13.78

$15.03 $15.03

-8.32%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$2,817 $2,817

-45.81%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$21.2K $21.2K

$5,898 $5,898

259.40%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.6 $54.6

$69.7 $69.7

-21.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.01 $44.01

$45.85 $45.85

-4.01%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.7 $89.7

$110 $110

-18.15%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 $109

$144 $144

-24.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,942 $1,942

$1,834 $1,834

5.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,258 $1,258

$1,591 $1,591

-20.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,762 $3,762

$2,799 $2,799

34.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,592 $2,592

$2,311 $2,311

12.17%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,403 $7,403

$3,265 $3,265

126.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,203 $3,203

$2,711 $2,711

18.16%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,085 $5,085

$3,975 $3,975

27.93%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.44

6.1

5.57%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: August 31, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,942 in Austin, TX versus $1,834 in Auburn, CA. 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 $84.0 in Austin, TX versus $89.0 in Auburn, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $417 vs $486 – 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

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

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

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,042 per month in Austin, TX and $4,668 in Auburn, CA. 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 $1,526 per month in Austin, TX and $2,817 in Auburn, CA. 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 $2,695 in Austin, TX and $3,112 in Auburn, CA. 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.