Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Livermore, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Austin, TX: $2,698 a month against $3,579 in Livermore, CA, rent and utilities included – about $10,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,698
/mo nomad
Livermore, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,579
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Austin, TX and in Livermore, CA

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,698 in Austin, TX versus $3,579 in Livermore, CA.

  • Austin, TX $2,698
  • Livermore, CA $3,579

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,160 in Austin, TX versus $5,837 in Livermore, CA.

  • Austin, TX $4,160
  • Livermore, CA $5,837

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,622 in Austin, TX versus $8,095 in Livermore, CA.

  • Austin, TX $5,622
  • Livermore, CA $8,095

Living in Austin, TX costs roughly 25% less than in Livermore, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 99% above, Livermore, CA 164% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Livermore, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.63 $20.63
$22.15 $22.15
-6.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$70.8 $70.8
19.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.07 $12.07
$10.57 $10.57
14.19%
Cappuccino
$5.48 $5.48
$5.92 $5.92
-7.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80 $3.80
$1.97 $1.97
92.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 $2.47
$3.06 $3.06
-19.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$5.95 $5.95
35.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.88 $8.88
$7.53 $7.53
17.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Livermore, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.11 $1.11
$1.96 $1.96
-43.37%
White Bread (500g)
$3.72 $3.72
$4.36 $4.36
-14.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.37 $3.37
$5.84 $5.84
-42.29%
Eggs
$4.32 $4.32
$6.31 $6.31
-31.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.13 $13.13
$26.79 $26.79
-50.99%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.15 $14.15
$16.36 $16.36
-13.51%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.33 $16.33
$21.93 $21.93
-25.54%
Apples (1kg)
$4.55 $4.55
$6.89 $6.89
-33.96%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$2.26 $2.26
-35.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$6.25 $6.25
-24.64%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.15 $4.15
$10.34 $10.34
-59.86%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$3.77 $3.77
-31.56%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$4.69 $4.69
-49.89%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.77 $1.77
$2.49 $2.49
-28.92%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$3.12 $3.12
-31.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.10 $10.10
$11.92 $11.92
-15.27%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.19 $15.19
$13.04 $13.04
16.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 $2.82
$2.10 $2.10
34.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$2.90 $2.90
18.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Livermore, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.54 $1.54
$2.04 $2.04
-24.51%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.99 $40.99
$59.6 $59.6
-31.19%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.80 $2.80
$3.47 $3.47
-19.31%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.60 $1.60
$1.89 $1.89
-15.34%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.34 $34.34
$39.52 $39.52
-13.11%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$1.45 $1.45
-35.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0K $34.0K
$27.9K $27.9K
21.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K $26.8K
$26.2K $26.2K
1.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Livermore, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$223 $223
$180 $180
23.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$61.8 $61.8
-4.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.6 $70.6
$75.3 $75.3
-6.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Livermore, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.7 $57.7
$40.49 $40.49
42.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.53 $16.53
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.26 $14.26
$13.74 $13.74
3.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Livermore, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,511 $1,511
$2,506 $2,506
-39.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.9K $20.9K
$35.2K $35.2K
-40.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Livermore, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$49.12 $49.12
4.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.17 $44.17
$38.80 $38.80
13.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.0 $87.0
$63.8 $63.8
36.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 $104
$233 $233
-55.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Livermore, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,940 $1,940
$2,427 $2,427
-20.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 $1,316
$2,019 $2,019
-34.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$5,721 $5,721
-35.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,565 $2,565
$4,631 $4,631
-44.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,354 $7,354
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,129 $3,129
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Livermore, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,286 $5,286
$6,977 $6,977
-24.23%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
6.3
7.78%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 19, 2026

Last update for Livermore, CA: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Livermore, CA
$2K 53.4% $703
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$406
Livermore, CA
$575 41.6% $169
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$352
Livermore, CA
$318 9.8% $35
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$350
Livermore, CA
$345 1.5% $5.2
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$129
Livermore, CA
$173 34.3% $44
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Livermore, CA
$68 21.2% $18
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$58
Livermore, CA
$81 39.2% $23

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,940 in Austin, TX and $2,427 in Livermore, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Livermore, CA pays 32% 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 Livermore, CA. Groceries flip the comparison at $406 vs $575, with Austin, TX cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇺🇸 Livermore, CA
🕒 Local time
10:29 10:29 AM
08:29 8:29 AM
2 h behind Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
86,803
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Livermore, CA 2,360 km ≈ 3 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Livermore, CA

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 Livermore, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Livermore, CA?
Austin, TX wins on cost – living expenses run 33% lower than in Livermore, 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 Livermore, CA?
On paper, salaries run 32% lower in Livermore, 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 Livermore, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,940 in Austin, TX versus $2,427 in Livermore, CA. 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 Livermore, CA?
All in, you'll spend $2,698 per month in Austin, TX versus $3,579 in Livermore, CA – a 33% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to Livermore, CA?
A monthly transit pass in Austin, TX runs roughly 45% less than in Livermore, CA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Austin, TX or in Livermore, 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 is better for digital nomads, Austin, TX or Livermore, CA?
Both work as nomad bases, but Austin, TX delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,698 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Austin, TX hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Austin, TX gentler on the wallet – expenses run 33% less than in Livermore, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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