Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Hermosa Beach, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Hermosa Beach, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,695 in Austin, TX versus $2,767 in Hermosa Beach, CA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,184 in Austin, TX versus $4,237 in Hermosa Beach, CA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,674 in Austin, TX versus $5,707 in Hermosa Beach, CA.

Living in Austin, TX costs roughly 3% less than in Hermosa Beach, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 96% above, Hermosa Beach, CA 101% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.82 $19.82
$24.96 $24.96
-20.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$83.9 $83.9
$119 $119
-29.79%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.30 $12.30
$14.16 $14.16
-13.14%
Cappuccino
$5.48 $5.48
$6.29 $6.29
-12.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$3.33 $3.33
11.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 $2.36
$2.85 $2.85
-17.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.76 $7.76
$8.13 $8.13
-4.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.14 $9.14
$10.04 $10.04
-8.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$1.32 $1.32
-14.39%
White Bread (500g)
$3.75 $3.75
$5.03 $5.03
-25.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.43 $3.43
$4.86 $4.86
-29.42%
Eggs
$4.35 $4.35
$5.91 $5.91
-26.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.14 $13.14
$11.83 $11.83
11.07%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.39 $14.39
$13.52 $13.52
6.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.20 $17.20
$19.97 $19.97
-13.87%
Apples (1kg)
$4.49 $4.49
$4.66 $4.66
-3.65%
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 $1.44
$1.90 $1.90
-24.21%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.67 $4.67
$4.47 $4.47
4.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.97 $4.97
$5.19 $5.19
-4.24%
Potato (1kg)
$3.00 $3.00
$3.37 $3.37
-10.98%
Onion (1kg)
$2.69 $2.69
$2.70 $2.70
-0.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.85 $1.85
$2.03 $2.03
-8.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.17 $2.17
0.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.45 $9.45
$11.61 $11.61
-18.60%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.11 $15.11
$14.79 $14.79
2.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.89 $2.89
$2.24 $2.24
29.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.49 $3.49
$2.73 $2.73
27.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.64 $1.64
$1.97 $1.97
-16.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.44 $40.44
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.81 $2.81
$3.02 $3.02
-6.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.58 $1.58
$1.89 $1.89
-16.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.18 $35.18
$27.93 $27.93
25.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.90 $0.90
$1.56 $1.56
-42.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K $35.9K
$36.5K $36.5K
-1.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K $27.7K
$25.5K $25.5K
8.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$222 $222
$258 $258
-14.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.3 $58.3
$73.1 $73.1
-20.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.1 $69.1
$80.8 $80.8
-14.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$66.2 $66.2
$42.15 $42.15
56.96%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.76 $14.76
$14.95 $14.95
-1.27%
Cinema Ticket
$13.78 $13.78
$19.37 $19.37
-28.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,526 $1,526
$1,747 $1,747
-12.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.2K $21.2K
$32.7K $32.7K
-35.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.6 $54.6
$70.6 $70.6
-22.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.01 $44.01
$57.3 $57.3
-23.22%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.7 $89.7
$113 $113
-20.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 $109
$144 $144
-24.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,942 $1,942
$1,569 $1,569
23.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,258 $1,258
$1,314 $1,314
-4.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,762 $3,762
$2,508 $2,508
50.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,592 $2,592
$2,106 $2,106
23.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,403 $7,403
$2,737 $2,737
170.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,203 $3,203
$2,308 $2,308
38.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Hermosa Beach, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,085 $5,085
$7,038 $7,038
-27.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
6.42
0.31%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: August 31, 2026

Last update for Hermosa Beach, CA: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,942 in Austin, TX and $1,569 in Hermosa Beach, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Hermosa Beach, CA pays 38% 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: $84.0 in Austin, TX vs $119 in Hermosa Beach, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $417 vs $444 per month, with Austin, TX cheaper across the board.

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 Hermosa Beach, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Hermosa Beach, CA?
Austin, TX wins on cost – living expenses run 3% lower than in Hermosa Beach, CA. 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 Hermosa Beach, CA?
On paper, salaries run 38% lower in Hermosa Beach, CA. 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 Hermosa Beach, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,942 in Austin, TX versus $1,569 in Hermosa Beach, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Austin, TX and in Hermosa Beach, CA?
Childcare runs $1,526 in Austin, TX versus $1,747 in Hermosa Beach, CA. 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 Hermosa Beach, CA?
Dining out is cheaper in Austin, TX – a meal for two runs $84.0 versus $119 in Hermosa Beach, CA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Austin, TX or in Hermosa Beach, CA?
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 offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or Hermosa Beach, CA?
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 Hermosa Beach, CA?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Hermosa Beach, CA 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 3% less than in Hermosa Beach, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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