Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Fribourg

For one person, living is cheaper in Austin, TX: $2,663 a month against $3,310 in Fribourg, rent and utilities included – about $7,800 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Fribourg
🇨🇭 Switzerland
$3,310
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Austin, TX and in Fribourg

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 Fribourg actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,663 in Austin, TX versus $3,310 in Fribourg.

  • Austin, TX $2,663
  • Fribourg $3,310

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,133 in Austin, TX versus $4,866 in Fribourg.

  • Austin, TX $4,133
  • Fribourg $4,866

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,603 in Austin, TX versus $6,423 in Fribourg.

  • Austin, TX $5,603
  • Fribourg $6,423

Living in Austin, TX costs roughly 20% less than in Fribourg, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 97% above, Fribourg 145% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Fribourg
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.77 $20.77
$30.10 CHF 24.79
-31.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$118 CHF 97.0
-28.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.32 $12.32
$15.27 CHF 12.58
-19.32%
Cappuccino
$5.63 $5.63
$6.14 CHF 5.06
-8.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$4.89 CHF 4.03
-23.93%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$5.12 CHF 4.22
-51.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$7.18 CHF 5.91
12.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.01 $9.01
$6.45 CHF 5.31
39.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Fribourg
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$2.14 CHF 1.76
-47.66%
White Bread (500g)
$3.75 $3.75
$3.15 CHF 2.59
19.05%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$3.51 CHF 2.89
-7.12%
Eggs
$4.17 $4.17
$7.23 CHF 5.96
-42.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.90 $12.90
$23.79 CHF 19.60
-45.78%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.16 $14.16
$24.77 CHF 20.40
-42.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$36.43 CHF 30.01
-55.48%
Apples (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$3.52 CHF 2.90
23.01%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.68 CHF 1.39
-13.10%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$2.46 CHF 2.03
83.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.34 $4.34
$4.45 CHF 3.67
-2.47%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.78 CHF 1.47
44.94%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.07 CHF 1.70
13.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.78 $1.78
$2.24 CHF 1.85
-20.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.23 CHF 1.01
80.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.88 $9.88
$10.98 CHF 9.04
-10.02%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.08 $15.08
$10.20 CHF 8.40
47.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$3.45 CHF 2.84
-15.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 $3.46
$2.33 CHF 1.92
48.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Fribourg
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.49 $1.49
$3.57 CHF 2.94
-58.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.72 $41.72
$85.7 CHF 70.6
-51.34%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.73 $2.73
$9.84 CHF 8.10
-72.26%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$4.02 CHF 3.31
-58.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.30 $35.30
$72.4 CHF 59.7
-51.27%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$2.26 CHF 1.86
-57.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K $36.0K
$41.7K CHF 34.3K
-13.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K $27.1K
$38.8K CHF 32.0K
-30.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Fribourg
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$229 $229
$336 CHF 277
-31.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.4 $59.4
$40.26 CHF 33.16
47.52%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.9 $69.9
$56.2 CHF 46.31
24.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Fribourg
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.2 $57.2
$58.8 CHF 48.39
-2.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.33 $16.33
$29.82 CHF 24.56
-45.24%
Cinema Ticket
$14.28 $14.28
$21.24 CHF 17.50
-32.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Fribourg
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,506 $1,506
$1,762 CHF 1,451
-14.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.5K $21.5K
$35.9K CHF 29.5K
-40.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Fribourg
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8 $52.8
$101 CHF 83.0
-47.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.82 $43.82
$57.0 CHF 46.97
-23.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.8 $84.8
$159 CHF 131
-46.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 $103
$189 CHF 156
-45.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Fribourg
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,907 $1,907
$1,570 CHF 1,293
21.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,274 $1,274
$1,434 CHF 1,181
-11.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$2,450 CHF 2,018
49.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,538 $2,538
$2,176 CHF 1,792
16.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,614 $7,614
$20.6K CHF 16.9K
-62.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,157 $3,157
$13.7K CHF 11.3K
-77.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Fribourg
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,121 $5,121
$6,808 CHF 5,607
-24.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
2.31
193.94%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 12, 2026

Last update for Fribourg: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Fribourg
$1.4K 12.5% $160
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$405
Fribourg
$536 32.4% $131
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$358
Fribourg
$433 20.8% $74
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$354
Fribourg
$449 26.9% $95
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$128
Fribourg
$228 77.9% $100
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Fribourg
$101 18% $15
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$59
Fribourg
$130 122% $71

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,907 in Austin, TX and $1,570 in Fribourg. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Fribourg pays 33% 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 $118 in Fribourg for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $405 vs $536 per month, with Austin, TX cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇨🇭 Fribourg
🕒 Local time
08:59 8:59 AM
15:59 3:59 PM
7 h ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
37,485
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CHF, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Swiss Franc exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 0.824 CHF (1 CHF = 1.21 USD). 1 EUR = 0.926 CHF (1 CHF = 1.08 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Fribourg 8,620 km ≈ 11 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Fribourg

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 Fribourg: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Fribourg?
Austin, TX wins on cost – living expenses run 24% lower than in Fribourg. 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 Fribourg?
On paper, salaries run 33% lower in Fribourg. 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 Fribourg?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,907 in Austin, TX versus $1,570 in Fribourg. 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 Fribourg?
All in, you'll spend $2,663 per month in Austin, TX versus $3,310 in Fribourg – a 24% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to Fribourg?
A monthly transit pass in Austin, TX runs roughly 106% less than in Fribourg. 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 Fribourg?
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 is better for digital nomads, Austin, TX or Fribourg?
Both work as nomad bases, but Austin, TX delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,663 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Austin, TX hard to pass up.
How safe is Austin, TX compared to Fribourg?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Fribourg 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 24% less than in Fribourg. 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

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