Last update: Oct 2026

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

For one person, living is cheaper in Austin, TX: $2,698 a month against $3,186 in Centennial, CO, rent and utilities included – about $5,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,698
/mo nomad
Centennial, CO
🇺🇸 United States
$3,186
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Austin, TX and in Centennial, CO

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Austin, TX and in Centennial, CO actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,698 in Austin, TX versus $3,186 in Centennial, CO.

  • Austin, TX $2,698
  • Centennial, CO $3,186

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,160 in Austin, TX versus $4,430 in Centennial, CO.

  • Austin, TX $4,160
  • Centennial, CO $4,430

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,622 in Austin, TX versus $5,674 in Centennial, CO.

  • Austin, TX $5,622
  • Centennial, CO $5,674

Living in Austin, TX costs roughly 15% less than in Centennial, CO, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 99% above, Centennial, CO 135% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Centennial, CO
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.63 $20.63
$19.85 $19.85
3.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$85.8 $85.8
-1.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.07 $12.07
$13.19 $13.19
-8.49%
Cappuccino
$5.48 $5.48
$6.11 $6.11
-10.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80 $3.80
$2.72 $2.72
39.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 $2.47
$2.19 $2.19
12.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$6.91 $6.91
16.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.88 $8.88
$7.76 $7.76
14.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Centennial, CO
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.11 $1.11
$1.13 $1.13
-1.77%
White Bread (500g)
$3.72 $3.72
$4.76 $4.76
-21.85%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.37 $3.37
$6.44 $6.44
-47.67%
Eggs
$4.32 $4.32
$6.10 $6.10
-29.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.13 $13.13
$15.10 $15.10
-13.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.15 $14.15
$13.45 $13.45
5.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.33 $16.33
$19.50 $19.50
-16.26%
Apples (1kg)
$4.55 $4.55
$5.62 $5.62
-19.04%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$2.14 $2.14
-31.78%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$4.68 $4.68
0.64%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.15 $4.15
$5.35 $5.35
-22.43%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$2.55 $2.55
1.18%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.64 $2.64
-10.98%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.77 $1.77
$2.36 $2.36
-25.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.94 $1.94
10.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.10 $10.10
$10.70 $10.70
-5.61%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.19 $15.19
$19.31 $19.31
-21.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 $2.82
$2.76 $2.76
2.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$3.69 $3.69
-6.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Centennial, CO
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.54 $1.54
$5.39 $5.39
-71.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.99 $40.99
$87.1 $87.1
-52.93%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.80 $2.80
$3.66 $3.66
-23.50%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.60 $1.60
$1.44 $1.44
11.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.34 $34.34
$24.72 $24.72
38.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$1.06 $1.06
-11.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0K $34.0K
$30.0K $30.0K
13.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K $26.8K
$26.1K $26.1K
2.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Centennial, CO
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$223 $223
$197 $197
13.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$75.3 $75.3
-21.77%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.6 $70.6
$73.7 $73.7
-4.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Centennial, CO
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.7 $57.7
$62.7 $62.7
-7.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.53 $16.53
$20.21 $20.21
-18.21%
Cinema Ticket
$14.26 $14.26
$14.79 $14.79
-3.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Centennial, CO
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,511 $1,511
$1,497 $1,497
0.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.9K $20.9K
$24.9K $24.9K
-16.24%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Centennial, CO
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$58.3 $58.3
-12.07%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.17 $44.17
$36.23 $36.23
21.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.0 $87.0
$100 $100
-13.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 $104
$130 $130
-19.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Centennial, CO
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,940 $1,940
$1,832 $1,832
5.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 $1,316
$1,669 $1,669
-21.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$2,848 $2,848
28.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,565 $2,565
$2,281 $2,281
12.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,354 $7,354
$3,183 $3,183
131.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,129 $3,129
$2,812 $2,812
11.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Centennial, CO
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,286 $5,286
$6,362 $6,362
-16.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
6.72
1.04%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 19, 2026

Last update for Centennial, CO: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Centennial, CO
$1.7K 26.8% $353
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$406
Centennial, CO
$472 16.3% $66
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$352
Centennial, CO
$346 1.9% $6.5
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$350
Centennial, CO
$341 2.5% $8.8
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$129
Centennial, CO
$146 13.2% $17
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Centennial, CO
$92 7% $6
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$58
Centennial, CO
$120 106% $62

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,940 in Austin, TX and $1,832 in Centennial, CO. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Centennial, CO pays 20% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $85.0 in Austin, TX vs $86.0 in Centennial, CO for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $406 vs $472 per month, with Austin, TX cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇺🇸 Centennial, CO
🕒 Local time
18:46 6:46 PM
17:46 5:46 PM
1 h behind Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
109,741
Exchange rates and currency converter

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United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Centennial, CO 1,220 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Centennial, CO

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Centennial, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Centennial, CO?
Austin, TX wins on cost – living expenses run 18% lower than in Centennial, CO. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Austin, TX the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Austin, TX or in Centennial, CO?
On paper, salaries run 20% lower in Centennial, CO. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Austin, TX compared to Centennial, CO?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,940 in Austin, TX versus $1,832 in Centennial, CO. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Austin, TX compared to Centennial, CO?
All in, you'll spend $2,698 per month in Austin, TX versus $3,186 in Centennial, CO – a 18% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to Centennial, CO?
A monthly transit pass in Austin, TX runs roughly 112% less than in Centennial, CO. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Austin, TX or in Centennial, CO?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Austin, TX is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or Centennial, CO?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Austin, TX compared to Centennial, CO?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Centennial, CO are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Austin, TX gentler on the wallet – expenses run 18% less than in Centennial, CO. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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