Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and El Centro, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and El Centro, CA

😐 Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 1.9% more expensive than El Centro, CA without rent, and 6% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Austin, TX is 22.1% more expensive than El Centro, CA without rent, and 16% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
El Centro, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$12.07 $12.07
62.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$39.7 $39.7
92.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$15.08 $15.08
-34.02%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$4.11 $4.11
36.50%
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
$1.95 $1.95
12.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$3.06 $3.06
90.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$7.06 $7.06
12.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
El Centro, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$1.11 $1.11
1.80%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$4.28 $4.28
-22.90%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$4.82 $4.82
-27.39%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$3.82 $3.82
15.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$12.19 $12.19
-1.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$15.91 $15.91
-32.87%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$15.72 $15.72
-6.30%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$4.4 $4.4
10.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.73 $1.73
-12.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$5.25 $5.25
-13.71%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$5.71 $5.71
-31.35%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$3.24 $3.24
-16.05%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.94 $2.94
-6.12%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.1 $2.1
-4.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.08 $2.08
4.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$10.87 $10.87
-18.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$13.34 $13.34
12.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.92 $1.92
21.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$3.55 $3.55
-3.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
El Centro, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$2.02 $2.02
-26.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$6.52 $6.52
-34.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$2.7 $2.7
-32.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$28.79 $28.79
20.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$1.28 $1.28
-42.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$26K $26K
-1.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$29.4K $29.4K
-10.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
El Centro, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$158 $158
11.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$53.2 $53.2
10.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$57.9 $57.9
12.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
El Centro, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$42.58 $42.58
46.99%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$15.04 $15.04
-2.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
El Centro, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$1,501 $1,501
-8.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$23.6K $23.6K
-5.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
El Centro, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$46.75 $46.75
20.41%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$33.77 $33.77
37.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$104 $104
-16.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$102 $102
16.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
El Centro, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$1,623 $1,623
34.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$1,369 $1,369
1.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$2,629 $2,629
48.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$2,232 $2,232
20.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$2,434 $2,434
81.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$2,662 $2,662
18.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
El Centro, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.64
-2.86%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for El Centro, CA: October 29, 2025

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