Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Ottawa, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Ottawa, IL

😐 Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 15.3% more expensive than Ottawa, IL without rent, and 11.8% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Austin, TX is 36.9% more expensive than Ottawa, IL without rent, and 20.1% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Ottawa, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$14.75 $14.75
33.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$50.7 $50.7
50.29%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$10.9 $10.9
-8.72%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$4.41 $4.41
27.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$1.96 $1.96
34.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.46 $1.46
50.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$3.59 $3.59
62.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$3.06 $3.06
158.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Ottawa, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.73 $0.73
54.79%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$2.61 $2.61
26.44%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$2.8 $2.8
25.00%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$2.67 $2.67
64.79%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$11.36 $11.36
5.63%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$6.3 $6.3
69.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$13.35 $13.35
10.34%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$2.23 $2.23
118.83%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.62 $1.62
-6.17%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$3.46 $3.46
30.92%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$4.1 $4.1
-4.39%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.42 $2.42
12.40%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.37 $2.37
16.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.95 $1.95
3.08%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.45 $1.45
50.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$8.91 $8.91
-0.56%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$13.04 $13.04
14.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.08 $2.08
12.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$1.96 $1.96
75.51%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Ottawa, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$2.02 $2.02
-26.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$3.46 $3.46
24.28%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.37 $1.37
32.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$29.75 $29.75
16.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$0.93 $0.93
-21.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$39.9K $39.9K
-36.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$22.7K $22.7K
15.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Ottawa, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$214 $214
-17.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$41.55 $41.55
41.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$62.7 $62.7
3.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Ottawa, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$42.87 $42.87
46.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
$27.49 $27.49
-63.00%
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$12.15 $12.15
21.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Ottawa, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$1,216 $1,216
13.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$23.9K $23.9K
-6.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Ottawa, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$44.14 $44.14
27.53%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$39.43 $39.43
17.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$89.7 $89.7
-3.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$153 $153
-22.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Ottawa, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$1,632 $1,632
34.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$1,329 $1,329
4.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$2,598 $2,598
49.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$2,260 $2,260
18.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$2,840 $2,840
55.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$2,800 $2,800
12.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Ottawa, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$2,444 $2,444
99.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.56
-1.68%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for Ottawa, IL: October 29, 2025

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