Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Grafton

For one person, living is cheaper in Grafton: $2,437 a month against $2,663 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $2,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Grafton
🇦🇺 Australia
$2,437
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,663 in Austin, TX versus $2,437 in Grafton.

  • Austin, TX $2,663
  • Grafton $2,437

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,133 in Austin, TX versus $3,470 in Grafton.

  • Austin, TX $4,133
  • Grafton $3,470

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,603 in Austin, TX versus $4,504 in Grafton.

  • Austin, TX $5,603
  • Grafton $4,504

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 9% more expensive than in Grafton, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 97% above, Grafton 81% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Grafton
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.77 $20.77
$17.31 A$24.90
19.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$70.8 A$102
19.51%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.32 $12.32
$11.35 A$16.33
8.55%
Cappuccino
$5.63 $5.63
$3.28 A$4.72
71.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$2.74 A$3.95
35.77%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$2.51 A$3.61
-0.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$8.37 A$12.05
-3.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.01 $9.01
$8.55 A$12.30
5.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Grafton
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$1.14 A$1.64
-1.75%
White Bread (500g)
$3.75 $3.75
$2.72 A$3.91
37.87%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$2.29 A$3.29
42.36%
Eggs
$4.17 $4.17
$3.65 A$5.25
14.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.90 $12.90
$8.99 A$12.94
43.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.16 $14.16
$7.74 A$11.14
82.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$14.00 A$20.15
15.86%
Apples (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$2.84 A$4.09
52.46%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.36 A$1.96
7.35%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$3.03 A$4.36
48.84%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.34 $4.34
$4.80 A$6.90
-9.58%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$2.07 A$2.98
24.64%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.19 A$3.15
7.31%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.76 A$2.53
1.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.12 A$1.61
98.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.88 $9.88
$29.96 A$43.12
-67.02%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.08 $15.08
$12.62 A$18.16
19.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$5.23 A$7.52
-44.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 $3.46
$5.04 A$7.25
-31.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Grafton
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.49 $1.49
$3.05 A$4.40
-51.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.72 $41.72
$92.3 A$133
-54.78%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.73 $2.73
$2.95 A$4.24
-7.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.86 A$2.68
-10.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.30 $35.30
$40.63 A$58.5
-13.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.31 A$1.89
-27.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K $36.0K
$27.4K A$39.4K
31.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K $27.1K
$24.2K A$34.8K
11.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Grafton
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$229 $229
$158 A$227
44.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.4 $59.4
$25.90 A$37.26
129.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.9 $69.9
$48.09 A$69.2
45.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Grafton
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.2 $57.2
$55.4 A$79.7
3.34%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.33 $16.33
$16.55 A$23.82
-1.33%
Cinema Ticket
$14.28 $14.28
$11.76 A$16.92
21.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Grafton
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,506 $1,506
$680 A$978
121.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.5K $21.5K
$3,086 A$4,441
595.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Grafton
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8 $52.8
$81.6 A$117
-35.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.82 $43.82
$43.48 A$62.6
0.78%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.8 $84.8
$111 A$159
-23.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 $103
$111 A$159
-6.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Grafton
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,907 $1,907
$1,361 A$1,959
40.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,274 $1,274
$1,241 A$1,786
2.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$2,021 A$2,908
81.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,538 $2,538
$1,834 A$2,638
38.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,614 $7,614
$5,426 A$7,808
40.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,157 $3,157
$4,449 A$6,403
-29.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Grafton
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,121 $5,121
$2,426 A$3,492
111.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
5.81
16.87%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 12, 2026

Last update for Grafton: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Grafton
$1.2K 2.6% $33
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$405
Grafton
$321 20.7% $84
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$358
Grafton
$232 35.3% $126
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$354
Grafton
$292 17.5% $62
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$128
Grafton
$156 21.8% $28
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Grafton
$79 8% $6.9
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$59
Grafton
$117 98.9% $58

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,907 in Austin, TX and $1,361 in Grafton. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 111% 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 $71.0 in Grafton for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $405 vs $321 per month, with Grafton cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇦🇺 Grafton
🕒 Local time
11:08 11:08 AM
03:08 3:08 AM
16 h ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
19,255
Exchange rates and currency converter

AUD, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Australian Dollar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 1.44 AUD (1 AUD = 0.695 USD). 1 EUR = 1.62 AUD (1 AUD = 0.618 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Grafton 13,330 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Grafton

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 Grafton: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Grafton?
Grafton wins on cost – living expenses run 9% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Grafton the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Austin, TX or in Grafton?
Average pay runs 111% 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Austin, TX compared to Grafton?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,907 in Austin, TX versus $1,361 in Grafton. 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 Grafton?
All in, you'll spend $2,663 per month in Austin, TX versus $2,437 in Grafton – a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to Grafton?
A monthly transit pass in Grafton runs roughly 121% less than in Austin, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Austin, TX or in Grafton?
At $2,437 in Grafton versus $2,663 in Austin, TX, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Grafton but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Grafton the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or Grafton?
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.
How safe is Austin, TX compared to Grafton?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Grafton 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 Grafton gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% 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

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