Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and San Luis Obispo, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and San Luis Obispo, CA

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 1.2% cheaper than San Luis Obispo, CA without rent, and 18.5% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Austin, TX is 11.8% more expensive than San Luis Obispo, CA without rent, and 19.7% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$20.07 $20.07
-2.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$78.9 $78.9
-3.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$11.39 $11.39
-12.64%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$5.58 $5.58
0.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.71 $2.71
-2.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$2.5 $2.5
-12.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$8.1 $8.1
-27.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$7.78 $7.78
1.80%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$1.13 $1.13
-
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$4.49 $4.49
-26.50%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$3.26 $3.26
7.36%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$2.89 $2.89
52.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$15.49 $15.49
-22.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$10.53 $10.53
1.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$15.6 $15.6
-5.58%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$3.35 $3.35
45.67%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.93 $1.93
-21.24%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$3.3 $3.3
37.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$3.29 $3.29
19.15%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.8 $2.8
-2.86%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.83 $2.83
-2.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.1 $2.1
-4.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2 $2
9.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$11.1 $11.1
-20.18%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$17.24 $17.24
-13.23%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.81 $1.81
29.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$3.2 $3.2
7.50%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.83 $1.83
-19.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
$60.1 $60.1
-28.76%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$3.48 $3.48
23.56%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.71 $1.71
6.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$30.02 $30.02
15.36%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$1.3 $1.3
-43.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$24.2K $24.2K
5.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$26.9K $26.9K
-2.11%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$257 $257
-31.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$49.31 $49.31
19.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$68 $68
-4.58%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$54 $54
16.01%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
$49.42 $49.42
-79.42%
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$12.24 $12.24
20.26%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$2,000 $2,000
-31.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$25.5K $25.5K
-12.32%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$52.6 $52.6
6.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$43.71 $43.71
6.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$87.3 $87.3
-0.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$111 $111
7.18%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$2,319 $2,319
-5.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$1,853 $1,853
-24.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$4,499 $4,499
-13.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$3,691 $3,691
-27.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$8,147 $8,147
-45.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$7,231 $7,231
-56.28%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$5,196 $5,196
-6.25%
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: October 28, 2025

Last update for San Luis Obispo, CA: October 29, 2025

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