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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,706 per month in Austin, TX vs $2,638 in Auburn, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,169 per month in Austin, TX vs $3,699 in Auburn, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,633 per month in Austin, TX vs $4,760 in Auburn, WA, rent included.

Austin, TX costs about 3% more than Auburn, WA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Austin, TX and Auburn, WA sit above the global median – Austin, TX by 103%, Auburn, WA by 97%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.70 $19.70

$17.83 $17.83

10.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$76.0 $76.0

$57.7 $57.7

31.77%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.86 $9.86

$10.19 $10.19

-3.24%

Cappuccino

$5.48 $5.48

$4.64 $4.64

18.10%

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

$2.65 $2.65

$2.57 $2.57

3.11%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$1.94 $1.94

7.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.09 $6.09

$4.69 $4.69

29.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.15 $8.15

$3.97 $3.97

105.29%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.10 $1.10

$0.94 $0.94

17.02%

White Bread (500g)

$3.39 $3.39

$2.55 $2.55

32.94%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.38 $3.38

$3.84 $3.84

-11.98%

Eggs

$4.39 $4.39

$3.06 $3.06

43.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.10 $12.10

$8.95 $8.95

35.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.84 $10.84

$13.34 $13.34

-18.74%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.68 $14.68

$16.82 $16.82

-12.72%

Apples (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$4.23 $4.23

17.26%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 $1.51

$1.45 $1.45

4.14%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.40 $4.40

$3.70 $3.70

18.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$3.74 $3.74

9.63%

Potato (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.13 $2.13

31.92%

Onion (1kg)

$2.87 $2.87

$2.07 $2.07

38.65%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.98 $1.98

-1.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$1.74 $1.74

25.29%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.99 $8.99

$9.68 $9.68

-7.13%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.11 $15.11

$15.06 $15.06

0.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.33 $2.33

$1.67 $1.67

39.52%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.43 $3.43

$3.01 $3.01

13.95%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.54 $1.54

$2.01 $2.01

-23.38%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.15 $44.15

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.41 $4.41

$3.44 $3.44

28.20%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 $1.83

$1.84 $1.84

-0.54%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$34.65 $34.65

$39.32 $39.32

-11.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.78 $0.78

$1.05 $1.05

-25.71%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$27.9K $27.9K

-7.01%

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$25.6K $25.6K

0.91%

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

$175 $175

$271 $271

-35.57%

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

$59.7 $59.7

$39.26 $39.26

52.09%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$75.6 $75.6

-13.42%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.3 $61.3

$43.42 $43.42

41.11%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.89 $9.89

Cinema Ticket

$14.76 $14.76

$12.95 $12.95

13.98%

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

$1,372 $1,372

$1,299 $1,299

5.56%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.2K $22.2K

$23.8K $23.8K

-6.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.5 $56.5

$46.82 $46.82

20.72%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.29 $45.29

$52.1 $52.1

-13.07%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 $85.0

$79.4 $79.4

7.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 $118

$80.0 $80.0

47.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,201 $2,201

$1,613 $1,613

36.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,403 $1,403

$1,400 $1,400

0.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,815 $3,815

$3,093 $3,093

23.37%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,680 $2,680

$2,257 $2,257

18.76%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,133 $7,133

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,078 $3,078

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,110 $5,110

$6,917 $6,917

-26.12%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.55

-1.53%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: July 12, 2026

Last update for Auburn, WA: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,201 in Austin, TX versus $1,613 in Auburn, WA. 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 35% higher in Auburn, WA, 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 $76.0 in Austin, TX versus $58.0 in Auburn, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $379 vs $354 – making Auburn, WA 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, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Austin, TX costs about 3% more than Auburn, WA, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,059 per month in Austin, TX and $3,956 in Auburn, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,706 in Austin, TX and $2,638 in Auburn, WA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,372 per month in Austin, TX and $1,299 in Auburn, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,706 in Austin, TX and $2,638 in Auburn, WA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Auburn, WA – 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 Auburn, WA. 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.