😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,695 in Austin, TX versus $2,068 in Moab, UT.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,184 in Austin, TX versus $3,350 in Moab, UT.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,674 in Austin, TX versus $4,631 in Moab, UT.
🌍Living in Austin, TX is roughly 30% more expensive than in Moab, UT, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX96% above, Moab, UT51% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Moab, UT
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.82$19.82
$19.93$19.93
-0.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$83.9$83.9
$61.0$61.0
37.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.30$12.30
$14.07$14.07
-12.58%
Cappuccino
$5.48$5.48
$5.05$5.05
8.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72$3.72
$2.55$2.55
45.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36$2.36
$1.90$1.90
24.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.76$7.76
$5.93$5.93
30.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.14$9.14
$6.12$6.12
49.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Moab, UT
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.13$1.13
$0.97$0.97
16.49%
White Bread(500g)
$3.75$3.75
$3.08$3.08
21.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.43$3.43
$1.71$1.71
100.58%
Eggs
$4.35$4.35
$2.77$2.77
57.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.14$13.14
$8.93$8.93
47.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.39$14.39
$9.05$9.05
59.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.20$17.20
$14.80$14.80
16.22%
Apples(1kg)
$4.49$4.49
$5.22$5.22
-13.98%
Banana(1kg)
$1.44$1.44
$1.47$1.47
-2.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.67$4.67
$3.29$3.29
41.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.97$4.97
$3.61$3.61
37.67%
Potato(1kg)
$3.00$3.00
$2.24$2.24
33.93%
Onion(1kg)
$2.69$2.69
$2.13$2.13
26.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.85$1.85
$2.10$2.10
-11.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18$2.18
$2.14$2.14
1.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.45$9.45
$9.98$9.98
-5.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.11$15.11
$12.88$12.88
17.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.89$2.89
$1.95$1.95
48.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.49$3.49
$4.11$4.11
-15.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Moab, UT
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.64$1.64
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.44$40.44
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.81$2.81
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.58$1.58
$2.84$2.84
-44.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.18$35.18
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90$0.90
$0.93$0.93
-3.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K$35.9K
$42.6K$42.6K
-15.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K$27.7K
$37.5K$37.5K
-26.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Moab, UT
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$222$222
$169$169
31.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.3$58.3
$70.2$70.2
-16.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.1$69.1
$74.0$74.0
-6.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Moab, UT
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$66.2$66.2
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.76$14.76
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.78$13.78
$15.16$15.16
-9.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Moab, UT
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,526$1,526
$1,148$1,148
32.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$21.2K$21.2K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Moab, UT
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.6$54.6
$50.1$50.1
8.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.01$44.01
$26.39$26.39
66.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.7$89.7
$81.6$81.6
9.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109$109
$91.4$91.4
18.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Moab, UT
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,942$1,942
$1,098$1,098
76.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,258$1,258
$968$968
29.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,762$3,762
$2,335$2,335
61.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,592$2,592
$2,176$2,176
19.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$7,403$7,403
$4,877$4,877
51.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,203$3,203
$4,514$4,514
-29.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Moab, UT
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,085$5,085
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.44
6.33
1.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Austin, TX: August 31, 2026
Last update for Moab, UT: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,942 in Austin, TX and $1,098 in Moab, UT. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $84.0 in Austin, TX vs $61.0 in Moab, UT for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $417 vs $330 per month, with Moab, UT 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 Moab, UT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Moab, UT?
Moab, UT wins on cost – living expenses run 30% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Moab, UT the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Austin, TX and in Moab, UT?
You'd need roughly $4,042 in Austin, TX and $3,102 in Moab, UT to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Austin, TX compared to Moab, UT?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,942 in Austin, TX versus $1,098 in Moab, UT. 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 Moab, UT?
Childcare runs $1,526 in Austin, TX versus $1,148 in Moab, UT. 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 Moab, UT?
Dining out is cheaper in Moab, UT – a meal for two runs $61.0 versus $84.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Austin, TX or in Moab, UT?
At $2,068 in Moab, UT versus $2,695 in Austin, TX, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Moab, UT but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Moab, UT the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Austin, TX or Moab, UT?
Both work as nomad bases, but Moab, UT delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $2,068 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Moab, UT hard to pass up.
How safe is Austin, TX compared to Moab, UT?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Moab, UT 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 Moab, UT gentler on the wallet – expenses run 30% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Austin, TX vs other spots: cost of living compared