Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Hays, KS Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Hays, KS

😐 Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 25% more expensive than Hays, KS without rent, and 1.8% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Austin, TX is 44.7% more expensive than Hays, KS without rent, and 13.5% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Hays, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$14.83 $14.83
32.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$44.23 $44.23
72.37%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$10.14 $10.14
-1.87%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$4.62 $4.62
21.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.5 $2.5
5.60%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$0.97 $0.97
125.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$3.57 $3.57
63.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$4.6 $4.6
72.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Hays, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.93 $0.93
21.51%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$3.63 $3.63
-9.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$4.48 $4.48
-21.88%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$3.95 $3.95
11.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$9.67 $9.67
24.10%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$7.57 $7.57
41.08%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$17.98 $17.98
-18.08%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$5.49 $5.49
-11.11%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.58 $1.58
-3.80%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$5.11 $5.11
-11.35%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$4.66 $4.66
-15.88%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.67 $2.67
1.87%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.73 $2.73
1.10%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.97 $1.97
2.03%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.81 $1.81
20.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$9.27 $9.27
-4.42%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$12.16 $12.16
23.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.23 $2.23
4.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$3.89 $3.89
-11.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Hays, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.99 $1.99
-25.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$2.54 $2.54
69.29%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.58 $1.58
15.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$26.61 $26.61
30.14%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$0.8 $0.8
-8.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$28.1K $28.1K
-9.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$24K $24K
9.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Hays, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$317 $317
-44.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$54.3 $54.3
8.61%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$74.1 $74.1
-12.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Hays, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$43.55 $43.55
43.72%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$12.92 $12.92
13.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Hays, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$902 $902
52.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$16.3K $16.3K
37.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Hays, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$46.08 $46.08
22.16%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$39.17 $39.17
18.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$108 $108
-20.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$111 $111
6.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Hays, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$1,584 $1,584
38.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$1,338 $1,338
4.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$2,578 $2,578
51.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$2,216 $2,216
21.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$2,495 $2,495
76.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$2,276 $2,276
38.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Hays, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$2,370 $2,370
105.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.52
-1.07%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for Hays, KS: October 29, 2025

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