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

😐 Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 11.9% more expensive than Shelby, NC without rent, and 42% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Austin, TX is 51.3% more expensive than Shelby, NC without rent, and 56.4% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$14.07 $14.07
39.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$35.14 $35.14
116.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$9.43 $9.43
5.51%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$3.67 $3.67
52.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$1.48 $1.48
78.38%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$1.23 $1.23
78.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$2.44 $2.44
139.34%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$2.95 $2.95
168.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.79 $0.79
43.04%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$2.68 $2.68
23.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$3.64 $3.64
-3.85%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$4.32 $4.32
1.85%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$9.27 $9.27
29.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$12.76 $12.76
-16.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$22.4 $22.4
-34.24%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$5.24 $5.24
-6.87%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.75 $1.75
-13.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$5.14 $5.14
-11.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$3.14 $3.14
24.84%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$3.3 $3.3
-17.58%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$4.57 $4.57
-39.61%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.02 $2.02
-0.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.87 $1.87
16.58%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$8.56 $8.56
3.50%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$9.28 $9.28
61.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.98 $1.98
18.18%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$2.76 $2.76
24.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.96 $1.96
-24.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$2.05 $2.05
109.76%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$2.39 $2.39
-23.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$17.99 $17.99
92.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.73 $0.73
$0.75 $0.75
-2.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$24K $24K
6.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$22.1K $22.1K
19.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$218 $218
-18.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$34.32 $34.32
71.71%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$49.07 $49.07
32.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$43.49 $43.49
43.92%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$15.29 $15.29
-3.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$301 $301
357.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$22.8K $22.8K
-1.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$48.53 $48.53
15.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$34.53 $34.53
34.55%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$70.2 $70.2
23.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$78.4 $78.4
51.53%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$1,571 $1,571
39.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$814 $814
71.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$2,601 $2,601
49.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$1,159 $1,159
132.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$2,522 $2,522
75.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$2,750 $2,750
14.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Shelby, NC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
$2,486 $2,486
95.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.38
1.10%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

Last update for Shelby, NC: October 29, 2025

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