Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Columbia, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Columbia, MD

😐 Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 6.6% more expensive than Columbia, MD without rent, and 16.5% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Austin, TX is 15.7% cheaper than Columbia, MD without rent, and 6.2% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Columbia, MD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$19.63 $19.63
0.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$78.5 $78.5
-2.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$11.32 $11.32
-12.10%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$5 $5
12.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.42 $2.42
9.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$2.18 $2.18
0.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$6.37 $6.37
-8.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$7.9 $7.9
0.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Columbia, MD
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$1.18 $1.18
-4.24%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$3.86 $3.86
-14.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$4.53 $4.53
-22.74%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$6.47 $6.47
-31.99%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$13.3 $13.3
-9.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$9.81 $9.81
8.87%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$16.24 $16.24
-9.30%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$6.99 $6.99
-30.19%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.32 $1.32
15.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$7.22 $7.22
-37.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$5.47 $5.47
-28.34%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.82 $2.82
-3.55%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$3.34 $3.34
-17.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.42 $2.42
-16.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.63 $2.63
-17.11%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$11.05 $11.05
-19.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$16.71 $16.71
-10.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.69 $1.69
38.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$3.85 $3.85
-10.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Columbia, MD
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.87 $1.87
-20.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
$72.9 $72.9
-41.28%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$1.75 $1.75
145.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.35 $1.35
34.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$23.55 $23.55
47.05%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$0.84 $0.84
-13.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$25.3K $25.3K
0.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$24.3K $24.3K
8.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Columbia, MD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$173 $173
2.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$51.8 $51.8
13.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$74.8 $74.8
-13.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Columbia, MD
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$49.84 $49.84
25.58%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
$19.91 $19.91
-48.92%
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$14.98 $14.98
-1.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Columbia, MD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$1,291 $1,291
6.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$33.1K $33.1K
-32.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Columbia, MD
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$51.8 $51.8
8.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$70.7 $70.7
-34.27%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$116 $116
-25.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$111 $111
7.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Columbia, MD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$2,060 $2,060
6.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$1,817 $1,817
-23.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$2,982 $2,982
30.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$2,663 $2,663
0.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$2,303 $2,303
91.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$2,251 $2,251
40.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Columbia, MD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$5,681 $5,681
-14.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.57
-1.83%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for Columbia, MD: October 29, 2025

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