Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon

For one person, living is cheaper in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon: $1,596 a month against $2,663 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $12,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
$1,596
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Austin, TX and in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon

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 Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,663 in Austin, TX versus $1,596 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon.

  • Austin, TX $2,663
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon $1,596

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,133 in Austin, TX versus $2,398 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon.

  • Austin, TX $4,133
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon $2,398

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,603 in Austin, TX versus $3,200 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon.

  • Austin, TX $5,603
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon $3,200

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 67% more expensive than in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 97% above, Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon 18% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.77 $20.77
$11.94 ₡5,353
73.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$44.58 ₡20.0K
89.75%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.32 $12.32
$10.82 ₡4,855
13.86%
Cappuccino
$5.63 $5.63
$4.03 ₡1,808
39.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$2.38 ₡1,067
56.30%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$1.83 ₡819
36.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$3.37 ₡1,510
138.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.01 $9.01
$4.01 ₡1,800
124.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$2.08 ₡931
-46.15%
White Bread (500g)
$3.75 $3.75
$3.16 ₡1,418
18.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$2.43 ₡1,089
34.16%
Eggs
$4.17 $4.17
$3.07 ₡1,378
35.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.90 $12.90
$6.56 ₡2,942
96.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.16 $14.16
$7.76 ₡3,479
82.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$14.16 ₡6,350
14.55%
Apples (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$2.59 ₡1,161
67.18%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.12 ₡504
30.36%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$1.29 ₡576
249.61%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.34 $4.34
$1.74 ₡781
149.43%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$2.60 ₡1,165
-0.77%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.97 ₡881
19.29%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.78 $1.78
$0.69 ₡311
157.97%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$2.00 ₡898
11.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.88 $9.88
$3.12 ₡1,398
216.67%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.08 $15.08
$15.10 ₡6,773
-0.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$2.86 ₡1,284
2.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 $3.46
$3.71 ₡1,663
-6.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.49 $1.49
$1.30 ₡582
14.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.72 $41.72
$43.11 ₡19.3K
-3.22%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.73 $2.73
$1.84 ₡825
48.37%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$1.54 ₡693
7.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.30 $35.30
$8.50 ₡3,814
315.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.50 ₡674
-36.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K $36.0K
$22.3K ₡10.0M
61.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K $27.1K
$35.0K ₡15.7M
-22.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$229 $229
$95.5 ₡42.8K
139.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.4 $59.4
$35.40 ₡15.9K
67.77%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.9 $69.9
$32.86 ₡14.7K
112.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.2 $57.2
$73.5 ₡33.0K
-22.13%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.33 $16.33
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.28 $14.28
$7.71 ₡3,458
85.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,506 $1,506
$972 ₡435.8K
54.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.5K $21.5K
$17.1K ₡7.7M
25.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8 $52.8
$64.6 ₡29.0K
-18.30%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.82 $43.82
$25.92 ₡11.6K
69.06%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.8 $84.8
$97.0 ₡43.5K
-12.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 $103
$54.5 ₡24.4K
89.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,907 $1,907
$690 ₡309.3K
176.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,274 $1,274
$659 ₡295.6K
93.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$1,981 ₡888.2K
85.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,538 $2,538
$1,135 ₡508.8K
123.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,614 $7,614
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,157 $3,157
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,121 $5,121
$976 ₡437.6K
424.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
8.62
-21.23%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 12, 2026

Last update for Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$659 48.3% $615
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$405
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$299 26% $105
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$358
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$164 54.3% $194
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$354
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$218 38.4% $136
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$128
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$109 14.9% $19
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$89 3.7% $3.1
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$59
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
$58 1.4% $0.8

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,907 in Austin, TX and $690 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 425% 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 $45.00 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $405 vs $299 per month, with Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇨🇷 Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon
🕒 Local time
16:31 4:31 PM
15:31 3:31 PM
1 h behind Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
Exchange rates and currency converter

CRC, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Costa Rican Colón exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 448 CRC (1,000 CRC = 2.23 USD). 1 EUR = 504 CRC (1,000 CRC = 1.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon 2,530 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon

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 Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon wins on cost – living expenses run 67% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Austin, TX or in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
Average pay runs 425% 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 Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,907 in Austin, TX versus $690 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon. 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 Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
All in, you'll spend $2,663 per month in Austin, TX versus $1,596 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon – a 67% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
A monthly transit pass in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon runs roughly 3% 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 $2,000/month in Austin, TX or in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
At $1,596 in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon versus $2,663 in Austin, TX, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Austin, TX or Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon?
Both work as nomad bases, but Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,596 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Puerto Viejo - de Talamanca, Limon gentler on the wallet – expenses run 67% 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

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?