Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Carlsbad, NM Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Carlsbad, NM

😐 Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 18.7% more expensive than Carlsbad, NM without rent, and 7.6% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Austin, TX is 33.9% more expensive than Carlsbad, NM without rent, and 18.4% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$19.11 $19.11
2.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$49.58 $49.58
53.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$12.15 $12.15
-18.11%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$6.1 $6.1
-8.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.06 $2.06
28.16%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.26 $1.26
73.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$5.11 $5.11
14.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$6.18 $6.18
28.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.89 $0.89
26.97%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$2.45 $2.45
34.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$1.94 $1.94
80.41%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$3.56 $3.56
23.60%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$8.09 $8.09
48.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$9.89 $9.89
7.99%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$12.14 $12.14
21.33%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$2.96 $2.96
64.86%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.1 $1.1
38.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$4.09 $4.09
10.76%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$2.52 $2.52
55.56%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.56 $2.56
6.25%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$1.88 $1.88
46.81%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.29 $2.29
-12.23%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.54 $1.54
41.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$12.14 $12.14
-27.02%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$15.21 $15.21
-1.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.11 $2.11
10.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$4.8 $4.8
-28.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$2.03 $2.03
-27.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$1.62 $1.62
165.43%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.6 $1.6
13.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$27.44 $27.44
26.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$0.74 $0.74
-1.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$18.6K $18.6K
36.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$25.1K $25.1K
4.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$168 $168
4.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$64.8 $64.8
-9.10%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$63.4 $63.4
2.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$42.78 $42.78
46.31%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$11.58 $11.58
27.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$583 $583
136.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$7,058 $7,058
217.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$39.92 $39.92
41.01%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$43.38 $43.38
7.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$97 $97
-10.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$80.9 $80.9
46.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$1,620 $1,620
35.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$1,373 $1,373
1.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$2,585 $2,585
50.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$2,215 $2,215
21.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$2,444 $2,444
80.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$2,140 $2,140
47.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Carlsbad, NM
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$4,149 $4,149
17.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
3.25
98.46%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for Carlsbad, NM: October 29, 2025

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