Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Hickory, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Hickory, NC

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 2.1% cheaper than Hickory, NC without rent, and 17.9% more expensive with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Austin, TX is 9.7% more expensive than Hickory, NC without rent, and 31.7% more expensive with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$19.74 $19.74
-0.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$70.4 $70.4
8.36%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$10.86 $10.86
-8.38%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$5.63 $5.63
-0.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.77 $2.77
-4.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$2.34 $2.34
-6.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$5.84 $5.84
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$6.87 $6.87
15.28%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.95 $0.95
18.95%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$3.71 $3.71
-11.05%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$4.59 $4.59
-23.75%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$2.47 $2.47
78.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$12.78 $12.78
-6.10%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$9.12 $9.12
17.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$19.75 $19.75
-25.42%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$5.62 $5.62
-13.17%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.31 $1.31
16.03%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$7.14 $7.14
-36.55%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$5.57 $5.57
-29.62%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$4.84 $4.84
-43.80%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$3.83 $3.83
-27.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.86 $1.86
8.06%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.27 $2.27
-3.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$6.81 $6.81
30.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$15.17 $15.17
-1.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.67 $1.67
40.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$3.05 $3.05
12.79%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.22 $1.22
21.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
$45.29 $45.29
-5.45%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$3.45 $3.45
24.64%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.53 $1.53
18.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$18.18 $18.18
90.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$0.75 $0.75
-2.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$35.9K $35.9K
-29.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$24.5K $24.5K
7.41%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$160 $160
10.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$54.5 $54.5
8.19%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$62.4 $62.4
3.98%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$35.22 $35.22
77.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$13.19 $13.19
11.60%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$1,725 $1,725
-20.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$9,821 $9,821
127.98%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$47.16 $47.16
19.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$45.04 $45.04
3.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$96 $96
-9.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$139 $139
-14.52%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$1,209 $1,209
80.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$993 $993
40.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$1,870 $1,870
108.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$1,323 $1,323
103.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$2,218 $2,218
99.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$2,110 $2,110
49.81%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Hickory, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$3,696 $3,696
31.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
4.85
32.99%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for Hickory, NC: October 27, 2025

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