Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Rohnert Park, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Rohnert Park, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,719 in Austin, TX versus $2,598 in Rohnert Park, CA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,117 in Austin, TX versus $3,870 in Rohnert Park, CA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,515 in Austin, TX versus $5,142 in Rohnert Park, CA.

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 5% more expensive than Rohnert Park, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 103% above, Rohnert Park, CA 94% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Rohnert Park, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.99 $19.99
$19.81 $19.81
0.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$78.5 $78.5
-2.87%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.13 $10.13
$10.41 $10.41
-2.69%
Cappuccino
$5.49 $5.49
$5.69 $5.69
-3.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.67 $2.67
1.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$2.02 $2.02
5.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.07 $6.07
$8.12 $8.12
-25.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.04 $8.04
$8.04 $8.04
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Rohnert Park, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$1.17 $1.17
-6.84%
White Bread (500g)
$3.34 $3.34
$4.31 $4.31
-22.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.42 $3.42
$5.39 $5.39
-36.55%
Eggs
$4.32 $4.32
$4.62 $4.62
-6.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.80 $11.80
$15.52 $15.52
-23.97%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$14.86 $14.86
-28.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.50 $14.50
$18.72 $18.72
-22.54%
Apples (1kg)
$4.79 $4.79
$5.25 $5.25
-8.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.50 $1.50
$2.09 $2.09
-28.23%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$4.12 $4.12
9.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.04 $4.04
$6.83 $6.83
-40.85%
Potato (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$3.77 $3.77
-26.79%
Onion (1kg)
$2.79 $2.79
$4.79 $4.79
-41.75%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.04 $2.04
$2.78 $2.78
-26.62%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$2.39 $2.39
-10.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.23 $9.23
$11.34 $11.34
-18.61%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.81 $14.81
$15.64 $15.64
-5.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.29 $2.29
$2.11 $2.11
8.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 $3.53
$2.86 $2.86
23.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Rohnert Park, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.52 $1.52
$2.04 $2.04
-25.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$43.64 $43.64
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.29 $4.29
$4.05 $4.05
5.93%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.91 $1.91
-4.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.52 $35.52
$28.20 $28.20
25.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.77 $0.77
$1.24 $1.24
-37.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$29.9K $29.9K
-14.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$28.5K $28.5K
-7.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Rohnert Park, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$172 $172
$149 $149
15.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.3 $60.3
$29.46 $29.46
104.68%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.2 $67.2
$50.3 $50.3
33.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Rohnert Park, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.8 $62.8
$43.14 $43.14
45.67%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.85 $9.85
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.73 $14.73
$13.86 $13.86
6.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Rohnert Park, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,398 $1,398
$1,283 $1,283
8.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.8K $21.8K
$28.2K $28.2K
-22.65%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Rohnert Park, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1 $55.1
$58.9 $58.9
-6.34%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.66 $45.66
$65.1 $65.1
-29.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.8 $86.8
$93.5 $93.5
-7.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 $115
$126 $126
-8.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Rohnert Park, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,245 $2,245
$1,629 $1,629
37.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,401 $1,401
$1,366 $1,366
2.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,782 $3,782
$2,643 $2,643
43.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,708 $2,708
$2,258 $2,258
19.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,304 $7,304
$3,048 $3,048
139.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,331 $3,331
$2,223 $2,223
49.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Rohnert Park, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,910 $4,910
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.57
-1.83%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: April 20, 2026

Last update for Rohnert Park, CA: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,245 in Austin, TX and $1,629 in Rohnert Park, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $76 in Austin, TX vs $78 in Rohnert Park, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $375 vs $470 per month, with Austin, TX 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 Rohnert Park, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Rohnert Park, CA?
Rohnert Park, CA wins on cost – living expenses run 5% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Rohnert Park, CA the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Austin, TX vs Rohnert Park, CA?
You'd need roughly $4,079 in Austin, TX and $3,897 in Rohnert Park, CA 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 vs Rohnert Park, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,245 in Austin, TX versus $1,629 in Rohnert Park, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Austin, TX and Rohnert Park, CA?
Childcare runs $1,398 in Austin, TX versus $1,283 in Rohnert Park, CA. 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 vs Rohnert Park, CA?
Dining out is cheaper in Rohnert Park, CA – a meal for two runs $78.0 versus $76.0 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 Rohnert Park, CA?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Rohnert Park, CA is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or Rohnert Park, CA?
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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Rohnert Park, CA gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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