Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia

For one person, living is cheaper in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia: $487 a month against $2,698 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $26,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,698
/mo nomad
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
$487
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Austin, TX and in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia

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 Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,698 in Austin, TX versus $487 in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.

  • Austin, TX $2,698
  • Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia $487

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,160 in Austin, TX versus $790 in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.

  • Austin, TX $4,160
  • Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia $790

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,622 in Austin, TX versus $1,093 in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.

  • Austin, TX $5,622
  • Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia $1,093

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 454% more expensive than in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Austin, TX is 99% above, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia is 64% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.63 $20.63
$1.49 LKR 494
1284.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$25.02 LKR 8,286
238.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.07 $12.07
$7.49 LKR 2,481
61.15%
Cappuccino
$5.48 $5.48
$2.54 LKR 840
115.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80 $3.80
$0.73 LKR 240
420.55%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 $2.47
$0.27 LKR 90.3
814.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$2.22 LKR 736
262.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.88 $8.88
$3.00 LKR 993
196.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.11 $1.11
$1.62 LKR 537
-31.48%
White Bread (500g)
$3.72 $3.72
$0.53 LKR 174
601.89%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.37 $3.37
$0.81 LKR 267
316.05%
Eggs
$4.32 $4.32
$1.65 LKR 546
161.82%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.13 $13.13
$13.93 LKR 4,614
-5.74%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.15 $14.15
$4.85 LKR 1,606
191.75%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.33 $16.33
$7.54 LKR 2,496
116.58%
Apples (1kg)
$4.55 $4.55
$6.42 LKR 2,125
-29.13%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$0.87 LKR 288
67.82%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$4.37 LKR 1,448
7.78%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.15 $4.15
$1.29 LKR 426
221.71%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.00 LKR 332
158.00%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$0.78 LKR 259
201.28%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.77 $1.77
$0.88 LKR 291
101.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$0.45 LKR 149
375.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.10 $10.10
$10.38 LKR 3,439
-2.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.19 $15.19
$13.03 LKR 4,317
16.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 $2.82
$1.89 LKR 626
49.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$3.00 LKR 994
14.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.54 $1.54
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.99 $40.99
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.80 $2.80
$0.38 LKR 125
636.84%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.60 $1.60
$0.35 LKR 115
357.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.34 $34.34
$0.90 LKR 297
3715.56%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$1.38 LKR 457
-31.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0K $34.0K
$43.0K LKR 14.2M
-20.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K $26.8K
$40.5K LKR 13.4M
-33.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$223 $223
$58.3 LKR 19.3K
281.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$4.28 LKR 1,418
1276.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.6 $70.6
$20.80 LKR 6,888
239.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.7 $57.7
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.53 $16.53
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.26 $14.26
$4.59 LKR 1,519
210.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,511 $1,511
$38.36 LKR 12.7K
3838.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.9K $20.9K
$1,206 LKR 399.5K
1631.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$18.46 LKR 6,116
177.74%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.17 $44.17
$16.53 LKR 5,474
167.21%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.0 $87.0
$78.6 LKR 26.0K
10.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 $104
$42.38 LKR 14.0K
146.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,940 $1,940
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 $1,316
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$460 LKR 152.2K
697.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,565 $2,565
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,354 $7,354
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,129 $3,129
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,286 $5,286
$215 LKR 71.4K
2353.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
12.69
-46.49%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 19, 2026

Last update for Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
- * 100%
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$406
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
$236 41.8% $170
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$352
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
$83 76.3% $269
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$350
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
$86 75.5% $264
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$129
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
$70 45.6% $59
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
$9.2 * 89.4% $77
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$58
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
$2.1 * 96.3% $56

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

Austin, TX pays 2354% 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 $25.00 in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $406 vs $236 per month, with Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇱🇰 Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia
🕒 Local time
13:02 1:02 PM
23:32 11:32 PM
10 h 30 min ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
219,827
Exchange rates and currency converter

LKR, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Sri Lankan Rupee exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 331 LKR (1,000 LKR = 3.02 USD). 1 EUR = 372 LKR (1,000 LKR = 2.69 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 15,880 km ≈ 20 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia

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 Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia?
Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia wins on cost – living expenses run 454% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Austin, TX or in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia?
Average pay runs 2354% higher in Austin, TX, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do childcare costs compare in Austin, TX and in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia?
Childcare runs $1,511 in Austin, TX versus $38.36 in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia. 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 and in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia?
Dining out is cheaper in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $85.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Austin, TX or in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia?
At $487 in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia versus $2,698 in Austin, TX, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Austin, TX or Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia?
Both work as nomad bases, but Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $487 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia hard to pass up.
How safe is Austin, TX compared to Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia 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 Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 454% 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

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?