Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and San Fernando, La Union

For one person, living is cheaper in San Fernando, La Union: $719 a month against $2,663 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $23,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
San Fernando, La Union
🇵🇭 Philippines
$719
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Austin, TX and in San Fernando, La Union

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 San Fernando, La Union actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,663 in Austin, TX versus $719 in San Fernando, La Union.

  • Austin, TX $2,663
  • San Fernando, La Union $719

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,133 in Austin, TX versus $1,102 in San Fernando, La Union.

  • Austin, TX $4,133
  • San Fernando, La Union $1,102

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,603 in Austin, TX versus $1,485 in San Fernando, La Union.

  • Austin, TX $5,603
  • San Fernando, La Union $1,485

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 270% more expensive than in San Fernando, La Union, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Austin, TX is 97% above, San Fernando, La Union is 47% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.77 $20.77
$3.93 ₱248
428.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$14.86 ₱936
469.25%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.32 $12.32
$2.45 ₱154
402.86%
Cappuccino
$5.63 $5.63
$1.92 ₱121
193.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 $3.72
$0.63 ₱39.53
490.48%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$0.30 ₱18.67
733.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$1.15 ₱72.3
600.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.01 $9.01
$1.78 ₱112
406.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$1.68 ₱106
-33.33%
White Bread (500g)
$3.75 $3.75
$1.08 ₱67.7
247.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.26 $3.26
$1.03 ₱65.0
216.50%
Eggs
$4.17 $4.17
$1.93 ₱122
116.06%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.90 $12.90
$6.38 ₱402
102.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.16 $14.16
$3.77 ₱238
275.60%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$7.48 ₱471
116.84%
Apples (1kg)
$4.33 $4.33
$2.38 ₱150
81.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.60 ₱101
-8.75%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$2.71 ₱170
66.42%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.34 $4.34
$1.21 ₱76.1
258.68%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$2.26 ₱142
14.16%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.07 ₱131
13.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.00 ₱62.8
78.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$0.58 ₱36.41
282.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.88 $9.88
$2.97 ₱187
232.66%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.08 $15.08
$7.16 ₱451
110.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.92 $2.92
$1.11 ₱70.0
163.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 $3.46
$1.63 ₱103
112.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.49 $1.49
$0.25 ₱15.89
496.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$41.72 $41.72
$10.92 ₱687
282.05%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.73 $2.73
$0.81 ₱51.2
237.04%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$0.21 ₱13.52
690.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.30 $35.30
$1.77 ₱111
1894.35%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.02 ₱64.5
-6.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K $36.0K
$21.0K ₱1.3M
71.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K $27.1K
$18.3K ₱1.1M
48.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$229 $229
$109 ₱6,863
110.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.4 $59.4
$16.96 ₱1,068
250.18%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.9 $69.9
$27.32 ₱1,720
155.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.2 $57.2
$32.83 ₱2,067
74.35%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.33 $16.33
$4.60 ₱290
255.00%
Cinema Ticket
$14.28 $14.28
$5.76 ₱363
147.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,506 $1,506
$114 ₱7,179
1220.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.5K $21.5K
$9,119 ₱574.1K
135.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.8 $52.8
$33.24 ₱2,093
58.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.82 $43.82
$17.66 ₱1,112
148.13%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.8 $84.8
$71.9 ₱4,524
17.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 $103
$55.6 ₱3,503
85.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,907 $1,907
$262 ₱16.5K
627.88%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,274 $1,274
$169 ₱10.7K
652.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$521 ₱32.8K
603.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,538 $2,538
$361 ₱22.7K
603.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,614 $7,614
$2,558 ₱161.1K
197.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,157 $3,157
$1,037 ₱65.3K
204.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
San Fernando, La Union
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,121 $5,121
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
6.79
-

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 12, 2026

Last update for San Fernando, La Union: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
San Fernando, La Union
$169 86.7% $1.1K
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$405
San Fernando, La Union
$183 54.7% $221
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$358
San Fernando, La Union
$153 57.2% $205
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$354
San Fernando, La Union
$75 78.9% $279
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$128
San Fernando, La Union
$80 37.3% $48
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
San Fernando, La Union
$44 48.3% $41
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$59
San Fernando, La Union
$14 76.5% $45

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,907 in Austin, TX and $262 in San Fernando, La Union. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $85.0 in Austin, TX vs $15.00 in San Fernando, La Union for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $405 vs $183 per month, with San Fernando, La Union cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇵🇭 San Fernando, La Union
🕒 Local time
23:06 11:06 PM
12:06 12:06 PM
13 h ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
83,003
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PHP, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 62.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.78 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX San Fernando, La Union 13,400 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • San Fernando, La Union

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 San Fernando, La Union: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or San Fernando, La Union?
San Fernando, La Union wins on cost – living expenses run 270% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making San Fernando, La Union the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Austin, TX and in San Fernando, La Union?
You'd need roughly $3,995 in Austin, TX and $1,079 in San Fernando, La Union 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 compared to San Fernando, La Union?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,907 in Austin, TX versus $262 in San Fernando, La Union. 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 San Fernando, La Union?
All in, you'll spend $2,663 per month in Austin, TX versus $719 in San Fernando, La Union – a 270% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to San Fernando, La Union?
A monthly transit pass in San Fernando, La Union runs roughly 282% 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 San Fernando, La Union?
At $719 in San Fernando, La Union versus $2,663 in Austin, TX, a $1,500 budget is realistic in San Fernando, La Union but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes San Fernando, La Union the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or San Fernando, La Union?
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 San Fernando, La Union?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and San Fernando, La Union 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 San Fernando, La Union gentler on the wallet – expenses run 270% 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?