Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Kardzhali

For one person, living is cheaper in Kardzhali: $653 a month against $2,663 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $24,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Kardzhali
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$653
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,663 in Austin, TX versus $653 in Kardzhali.

  • Austin, TX $2,663
  • Kardzhali $653

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,133 in Austin, TX versus $1,071 in Kardzhali.

  • Austin, TX $4,133
  • Kardzhali $1,071

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,603 in Austin, TX versus $1,489 in Kardzhali.

  • Austin, TX $5,603
  • Kardzhali $1,489

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 308% more expensive than in Kardzhali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Austin, TX is 97% above, Kardzhali is 52% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Kardzhali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.77 $20.77
$11.22 BGN 19.52
85.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$22.74 BGN 39.57
271.99%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.32 $12.32
$9.05 BGN 15.75
36.13%
Cappuccino
$5.63 $5.63
$1.11 BGN 1.92
407.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$1.04 BGN 1.80
257.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$0.70 BGN 1.21
257.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$1.62 BGN 2.82
396.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.01 $9.01
$1.33 BGN 2.31
577.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Kardzhali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$1.64 BGN 2.85
-31.71%
White Bread (500g)
$3.75 $3.75
$0.74 BGN 1.29
406.76%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$1.43 BGN 2.49
127.97%
Eggs
$4.17 $4.17
$2.81 BGN 4.89
48.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.90 $12.90
$10.16 BGN 17.68
26.97%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.16 $14.16
$5.60 BGN 9.75
152.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$6.74 BGN 11.73
140.65%
Apples (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$0.90 BGN 1.56
381.11%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$2.04 BGN 3.55
-28.43%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$1.93 BGN 3.35
133.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.34 $4.34
$2.13 BGN 3.71
103.76%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$0.65 BGN 1.13
296.92%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.27 BGN 2.22
85.04%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.78 $1.78
$0.72 BGN 1.26
147.22%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$0.80 BGN 1.39
177.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.88 $9.88
$3.59 BGN 6.25
175.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.08 $15.08
$4.56 BGN 7.94
230.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$1.05 BGN 1.83
178.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 $3.46
$1.42 BGN 2.46
143.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Kardzhali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.49 $1.49
$0.54 BGN 0.95
175.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.72 $41.72
$11.13 BGN 19.36
274.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.73 $2.73
$1.69 BGN 2.94
61.54%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$0.70 BGN 1.23
137.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.30 $35.30
$5.65 BGN 9.83
524.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.70 BGN 2.97
-44.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K $36.0K
$29.7K BGN 51.7K
21.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K $27.1K
$22.4K BGN 39.0K
20.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Kardzhali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$229 $229
$60.9 BGN 106
275.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.4 $59.4
$5.73 BGN 9.97
936.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.9 $69.9
$7.65 BGN 13.30
813.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Kardzhali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.2 $57.2
$23.14 BGN 40.26
147.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.33 $16.33
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.28 $14.28
$8.43 BGN 14.67
69.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Kardzhali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,506 $1,506
$230 BGN 401
553.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.5K $21.5K
$14.5K BGN 25.2K
47.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Kardzhali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8 $52.8
$22.87 BGN 39.79
130.91%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.82 $43.82
$12.49 BGN 21.73
250.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.8 $84.8
$45.07 BGN 78.4
88.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 $103
$75.0 BGN 130
37.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Kardzhali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,907 $1,907
$114 BGN 198
1576.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,274 $1,274
$114 BGN 198
1017.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$228 BGN 396
1508.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,538 $2,538
$275 BGN 479
822.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,614 $7,614
$1,145 BGN 1,993
564.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,157 $3,157
$858 BGN 1,493
267.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Kardzhali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,121 $5,121
$1,281 BGN 2,229
299.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
3.25
108.92%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 12, 2026

Last update for Kardzhali: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Kardzhali
$114 91% $1.2K
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$405
Kardzhali
$189 53.3% $216
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$358
Kardzhali
$74 79.3% $284
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$354
Kardzhali
$148 58.2% $206
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$128
Kardzhali
$70 45.4% $58
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Kardzhali
$40 53.4% $46
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$59
Kardzhali
$19 68.4% $40

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,907 in Austin, TX and $114 in Kardzhali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 300% 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 $23.00 in Kardzhali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $405 vs $189 per month, with Kardzhali cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇧🇬 Kardzhali
🕒 Local time
06:02 6:02 AM
14:02 2:02 PM
8 h ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
49,421
💱 Currency
Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.
Exchange rates and currency converter

BGN, 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).

Bulgarian Lev exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 1.74 BGN (1 BGN = 0.575 USD). 1 EUR = 1.96 BGN (1 BGN = 0.511 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Kardzhali 10,120 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Kardzhali

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 Kardzhali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Kardzhali?
Kardzhali wins on cost – living expenses run 308% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kardzhali the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Austin, TX or in Kardzhali?
Average pay runs 300% 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 Kardzhali?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,907 in Austin, TX versus $114 in Kardzhali. 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 Kardzhali?
All in, you'll spend $2,663 per month in Austin, TX versus $653 in Kardzhali – a 308% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to Kardzhali?
A monthly transit pass in Kardzhali runs roughly 275% 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 $1,000/month in Austin, TX or in Kardzhali?
At $653 in Kardzhali versus $2,663 in Austin, TX, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Kardzhali but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Kardzhali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or Kardzhali?
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 Kardzhali?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Kardzhali 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 Kardzhali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 308% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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