😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,659 in Austin, TX versus $2,582 in Concord, NC.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,101 in Austin, TX versus $3,785 in Concord, NC.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,542 in Austin, TX versus $4,987 in Concord, NC.
😐Living in Austin, TX is roughly 3% more expensive than Concord, NC, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX98% above, Concord, NC93% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Concord, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63$19.63
$18.96$18.96
3.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.1$75.1
$74.1$74.1
1.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.92$9.92
$11.09$11.09
-10.55%
Cappuccino
$5.67$5.67
$5.11$5.11
10.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77$2.77
$2.58$2.58
7.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17$2.17
$1.98$1.98
9.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.84$5.84
$6.14$6.14
-4.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.77$7.77
$6.87$6.87
13.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Concord, NC
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09$1.09
$0.99$0.99
10.10%
White Bread(500g)
$3.41$3.41
$3.41$3.41
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.43$3.43
$4.32$4.32
-20.60%
Eggs
$4.39$4.39
$4.18$4.18
5.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.95$11.95
$12.06$12.06
-0.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.76$10.76
$11.58$11.58
-7.08%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.29$14.29
$15.61$15.61
-8.46%
Apples(1kg)
$4.84$4.84
$4.95$4.95
-2.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55$1.55
$1.62$1.62
-4.32%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.46$4.46
$4.26$4.26
4.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.91$3.91
$4.71$4.71
-16.99%
Potato(1kg)
$2.74$2.74
$2.85$2.85
-3.86%
Onion(1kg)
$2.74$2.74
$2.81$2.81
-2.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.04$2.04
$2.08$2.08
-1.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.25$2.25
$2.18$2.18
3.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.93$8.93
$9.38$9.38
-4.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.85$14.85
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35$2.35
$1.79$1.79
31.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57$3.57
$3.28$3.28
8.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Concord, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.47$1.47
$2.06$2.06
-28.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.98$42.98
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.28$4.28
$3.52$3.52
21.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.84$1.84
$1.65$1.65
11.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.54$35.54
$28.62$28.62
24.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.72$0.72
$0.89$0.89
-19.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.7K$25.7K
$29.7K$29.7K
-13.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K$26.2K
$25.9K$25.9K
1.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Concord, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$174$174
$184$184
-5.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.2$60.2
$52.6$52.6
14.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.3$66.3
$68.3$68.3
-3.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Concord, NC
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.8$62.8
$43.26$43.26
45.05%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.83$9.83
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.24$15.24
$13.54$13.54
12.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Concord, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,387$1,387
$1,297$1,297
6.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$22.2K$22.2K
$23.0K$23.0K
-3.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Concord, NC
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.7$56.7
$50.3$50.3
12.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.34$45.34
$40.06$40.06
13.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.5$86.5
$88.0$88.0
-1.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119$119
$111$111
6.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Concord, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,247$2,247
$1,628$1,628
38.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,430$1,430
$1,337$1,337
6.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,778$3,778
$2,580$2,580
46.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,641$2,641
$2,210$2,210
19.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,044$7,044
$2,380$2,380
195.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,162$3,162
$2,337$2,337
35.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Concord, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,108$5,108
$3,925$3,925
30.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.45
6.51
-0.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Austin, TX: May 31, 2026
Last update for Concord, NC: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,247 in Austin, TX and $1,628 in Concord, NC. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Austin, TX pays 30% 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: $75.0 in Austin, TX vs $74.0 in Concord, NC for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $377 vs $358 per month, with Concord, NC cheaper across the board.
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 Concord, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Concord, NC?
Concord, NC wins on cost – living expenses run 3% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Concord, NC the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Austin, TX or Concord, NC?
Austin, TX pays 30% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Austin, TX vs Concord, NC?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,247 in Austin, TX versus $1,628 in Concord, NC. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Austin, TX and Concord, NC?
Childcare runs $1,387 in Austin, TX versus $1,297 in Concord, NC. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Austin, TX vs Concord, NC?
Dining out is cheaper in Concord, NC – a meal for two runs $74.0 versus $75.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Austin, TX or Concord, NC?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Concord, NC 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 Concord, NC?
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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Concord, NC gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Austin, TX vs other spots: cost of living compared