Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Narita

For one person, living is cheaper in Narita: $1,198 a month against $2,663 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $17,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Narita
🇯🇵 Japan
$1,198
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,663 in Austin, TX versus $1,198 in Narita.

  • Austin, TX $2,663
  • Narita $1,198

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,133 in Austin, TX versus $1,862 in Narita.

  • Austin, TX $4,133
  • Narita $1,862

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,603 in Austin, TX versus $2,527 in Narita.

  • Austin, TX $5,603
  • Narita $2,527

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 122% more expensive than in Narita, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Austin, TX is 97% above, Narita is 11% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Narita
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.77 $20.77
$5.72 ¥904
263.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$40.53 ¥6,403
108.71%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.32 $12.32
$4.32 ¥682
185.19%
Cappuccino
$5.63 $5.63
$3.08 ¥486
82.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$0.74 ¥117
402.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$0.80 ¥126
212.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$2.09 ¥330
285.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.01 $9.01
$3.10 ¥489
190.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Narita
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$1.29 ¥203
-13.18%
White Bread (500g)
$3.75 $3.75
$1.74 ¥275
115.52%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$3.59 ¥567
-9.19%
Eggs
$4.17 $4.17
$2.01 ¥317
107.46%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.90 $12.90
$10.31 ¥1,628
25.12%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.16 $14.16
$5.88 ¥929
140.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$14.64 ¥2,312
10.79%
Apples (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$5.75 ¥909
-24.70%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$2.68 ¥423
-45.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$2.88 ¥455
56.60%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.34 $4.34
$4.26 ¥673
1.88%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$2.52 ¥398
2.38%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.53 ¥399
-7.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.28 ¥203
39.06%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$0.79 ¥125
181.01%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.88 $9.88
$3.83 ¥606
157.96%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.08 $15.08
$6.12 ¥968
146.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$1.74 ¥275
67.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 $3.46
$2.08 ¥328
66.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Narita
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.49 $1.49
$1.45 ¥229
2.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.72 $41.72
$59.9 ¥9,458
-30.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.73 $2.73
$3.17 ¥500
-13.88%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.62 ¥257
2.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.30 $35.30
$20.39 ¥3,221
73.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.04 ¥165
-8.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K $36.0K
$21.2K ¥3.4M
69.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K $27.1K
$18.6K ¥2.9M
45.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Narita
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$229 $229
$134 ¥21.1K
71.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.4 $59.4
$24.48 ¥3,867
142.61%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.9 $69.9
$27.93 ¥4,413
150.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Narita
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.2 $57.2
$52.2 ¥8,250
9.61%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.33 $16.33
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.28 $14.28
$11.31 ¥1,786
26.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Narita
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,506 $1,506
$631 ¥99.7K
138.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.5K $21.5K
$14.9K ¥2.4M
43.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Narita
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8 $52.8
$63.4 ¥10.0K
-16.68%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.82 $43.82
$37.27 ¥5,888
17.57%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.8 $84.8
$61.1 ¥9,657
38.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 $103
$101 ¥15.9K
2.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Narita
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,907 $1,907
$541 ¥85.5K
252.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,274 $1,274
$336 ¥53.1K
279.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$996 ¥157.3K
268.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,538 $2,538
$633 ¥100.0K
301.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,614 $7,614
$4,458 ¥704.3K
70.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,157 $3,157
$1,527 ¥241.3K
106.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Narita
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,121 $5,121
$1,280 ¥202.2K
300.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
2.64
157.20%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 12, 2026

Last update for Narita: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Narita
$336 73.6% $938
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$405
Narita
$287 29.1% $118
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$358
Narita
$186 48% $172
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$354
Narita
$118 66.5% $235
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$128
Narita
$118 7.8% $9.9
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Narita
$75 12.8% $11
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$59
Narita
$77 31.1% $18

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,907 in Austin, TX and $541 in Narita. 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 $41.00 in Narita for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $405 vs $287 per month, with Narita cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇯🇵 Narita
🕒 Local time
18:20 6:20 PM
08:20 8:20 AM
14 h ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
131,613
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

JPY, 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).

Japanese Yen exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 158 JPY (1,000 JPY = 6.33 USD). 1 EUR = 178 JPY (1,000 JPY = 5.63 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Narita 10,490 km ≈ 14 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Narita

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 Narita: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Narita?
Narita wins on cost – living expenses run 122% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Narita the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Austin, TX or in Narita?
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 Narita?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,907 in Austin, TX versus $541 in Narita. 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 Narita?
All in, you'll spend $2,663 per month in Austin, TX versus $1,198 in Narita – a 122% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to Narita?
A monthly transit pass in Narita runs roughly 44% 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 $1,500/month in Austin, TX or in Narita?
At $1,198 in Narita versus $2,663 in Austin, TX, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Narita but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Narita the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or Narita?
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 Narita?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Narita 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 Narita gentler on the wallet – expenses run 122% 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

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