Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Roxboro, NC Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Roxboro, NC

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,719 in Austin, TX versus $2,482 in Roxboro, NC.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,117 in Austin, TX versus $3,606 in Roxboro, NC.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,515 in Austin, TX versus $4,730 in Roxboro, NC.

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 10% more expensive than Roxboro, NC, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 103% above, Roxboro, NC 85% above.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Austin, TX
Roxboro, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.99 $19.99
$18.21 $18.21
9.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$50.5 $50.5
51.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.13 $10.13
$8.14 $8.14
24.45%
Cappuccino
$5.49 $5.49
$4.88 $4.88
12.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.51 $2.51
8.37%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.93 $1.93
10.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.07 $6.07
$5.98 $5.98
1.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.04 $8.04
$7.64 $7.64
5.24%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Roxboro, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.09 $1.09
$0.80 $0.80
36.25%
White Bread (500g)
$3.34 $3.34
$3.78 $3.78
-11.64%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.42 $3.42
$4.42 $4.42
-22.62%
Eggs
$4.32 $4.32
$4.41 $4.41
-2.04%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.80 $11.80
$16.95 $16.95
-30.38%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$6.47 $6.47
65.07%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.50 $14.50
$16.70 $16.70
-13.17%
Apples (1kg)
$4.79 $4.79
$2.18 $2.18
119.72%
Banana (1kg)
$1.50 $1.50
$1.58 $1.58
-5.06%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$6.56 $6.56
-31.25%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.04 $4.04
$3.90 $3.90
3.59%
Potato (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$3.83 $3.83
-27.94%
Onion (1kg)
$2.79 $2.79
$2.75 $2.75
1.45%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.04 $2.04
$1.02 $1.02
100.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$1.96 $1.96
9.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.23 $9.23
$7.90 $7.90
16.84%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.81 $14.81
$15.66 $15.66
-5.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.29 $2.29
$2.15 $2.15
6.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53 $3.53
$3.19 $3.19
10.66%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Austin, TX
Roxboro, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.52 $1.52
$2.02 $2.02
-24.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$43.64 $43.64
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.29 $4.29
$2.97 $2.97
44.44%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.88 $1.88
-3.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.52 $35.52
$30.07 $30.07
18.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.77 $0.77
$0.82 $0.82
-6.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.6K $25.6K
$34.2K $34.2K
-25.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$25.0K $25.0K
5.29%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Roxboro, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$172 $172
$139 $139
23.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$60.3 $60.3
$54.9 $54.9
9.88%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.2 $67.2
$73.3 $73.3
-8.22%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Roxboro, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.8 $62.8
$42.16 $42.16
49.05%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.85 $9.85
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.73 $14.73
$13.83 $13.83
6.51%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Roxboro, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,398 $1,398
$1,313 $1,313
6.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.8K $21.8K
$24.7K $24.7K
-11.72%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Roxboro, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1 $55.1
$49.94 $49.94
10.39%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.66 $45.66
$36.54 $36.54
24.96%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.8 $86.8
$103 $103
-15.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 $115
$157 $157
-26.50%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Roxboro, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,245 $2,245
$1,616 $1,616
38.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,401 $1,401
$1,363 $1,363
2.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,782 $3,782
$2,590 $2,590
46.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,708 $2,708
$2,223 $2,223
21.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,304 $7,304
$3,044 $3,044
139.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,331 $3,331
$2,282 $2,282
45.95%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Roxboro, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,910 $4,910
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.51
-0.92%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Austin, TX: April 20, 2026

Last update for Roxboro, NC: April 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,245 in Austin, TX and $1,616 in Roxboro, NC. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $76 in Austin, TX vs $50 in Roxboro, NC for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $375 vs $374 per month, with Roxboro, NC 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 Roxboro, NC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Roxboro, NC?
Roxboro, NC wins on cost โ€“ living expenses run 10% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Roxboro, NC the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Austin, TX vs Roxboro, NC?
You'd need roughly $4,079 in Austin, TX and $3,723 in Roxboro, NC 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 Roxboro, NC?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,245 in Austin, TX versus $1,616 in Roxboro, NC. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Austin, TX and Roxboro, NC?
Childcare runs $1,398 in Austin, TX versus $1,313 in Roxboro, NC. 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 Roxboro, NC?
Dining out is cheaper in Roxboro, NC โ€“ a meal for two runs $50.0 versus $76.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Austin, TX or Roxboro, NC?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Roxboro, NC 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 Roxboro, NC?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ€“ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Roxboro, NC gentler on the wallet โ€“ expenses run 10% 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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