Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Spokane, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Spokane, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,657 in Austin, TX versus $2,702 in Spokane, WA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,101 in Austin, TX versus $4,042 in Spokane, WA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,546 in Austin, TX versus $5,382 in Spokane, WA.

Living in Austin, TX costs roughly 2% less than in Spokane, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 98% above, Spokane, WA 102% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.85 $19.85

$24.71 $24.71

-19.67%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.5 $74.5

$74.8 $74.8

-0.47%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.03 $10.03

$12.83 $12.83

-21.82%

Cappuccino

$5.52 $5.52

$4.65 $4.65

18.71%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.40 $2.40

15.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.10 $2.10

$2.32 $2.32

-9.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.04 $6.04

$6.33 $6.33

-4.58%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.81 $7.81

$5.91 $5.91

32.15%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.13 $1.13

$1.02 $1.02

10.78%

White Bread (500g)

$3.45 $3.45

$2.93 $2.93

17.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.42 $3.42

$4.95 $4.95

-30.91%

Eggs

$4.37 $4.37

$4.41 $4.41

-0.91%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.24 $12.24

$16.39 $16.39

-25.32%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.79 $10.79

$15.52 $15.52

-30.48%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.36 $14.36

$16.44 $16.44

-12.65%

Apples (1kg)

$4.99 $4.99

$4.78 $4.78

4.39%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 $1.51

$1.88 $1.88

-19.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.38 $4.38

$4.93 $4.93

-11.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.96 $3.96

$5.69 $5.69

-30.40%

Potato (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$3.35 $3.35

-18.21%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.65 $2.65

4.53%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.05 $2.05

-3.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.35 $2.35

-2.98%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.74 $8.74

$11.51 $11.51

-24.07%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.81 $14.81

$14.15 $14.15

4.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$1.90 $1.90

18.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 $3.58

$4.97 $4.97

-27.97%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.54 $1.54

$2.06 $2.06

-25.24%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.09 $43.09

$58.8 $58.8

-26.73%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.45 $4.45

$5.12 $5.12

-13.09%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.69 $1.69

7.10%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.30 $35.30

$39.80 $39.80

-11.31%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.74 $0.74

$1.17 $1.17

-36.75%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$25.5K $25.5K

$33.2K $33.2K

-23.20%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.9K $25.9K

1.95%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$170 $170

$165 $165

2.90%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$60.3 $60.3

$64.9 $64.9

-7.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.0 $67.0

$71.7 $71.7

-6.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.6 $61.6

$43.87 $43.87

40.44%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.83 $9.83

$15.27 $15.27

-35.63%

Cinema Ticket

$15.14 $15.14

$14.44 $14.44

4.85%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,381 $1,381

$1,418 $1,418

-2.56%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$21.8K $21.8K

$15.8K $15.8K

37.72%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.9 $56.9

$52.3 $52.3

8.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.94 $45.94

$50.0 $50.0

-8.16%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.0 $86.0

$116 $116

-25.96%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 $119

$145 $145

-17.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,183 $2,183

$1,585 $1,585

37.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,417 $1,417

$1,323 $1,323

7.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,801 $3,801

$2,893 $2,893

31.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,711 $2,711

$2,168 $2,168

25.03%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,204 $7,204

$3,331 $3,331

116.25%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,239 $3,239

$2,318 $2,318

39.75%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,914 $4,914

$4,181 $4,181

17.54%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.45

6.64

-2.86%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: April 27, 2026

Last update for Spokane, WA: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,183 in Austin, TX and $1,585 in Spokane, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 18% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $74 in Austin, TX vs $75 in Spokane, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $379 vs $436 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 Spokane, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Austin, TX wins on cost – living expenses run 2% lower than in Spokane, WA. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Austin, TX the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

Austin, TX pays 18% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $2,183 in Austin, TX versus $1,585 in Spokane, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $2,657 per month in Austin, TX versus $2,702 in Spokane, WA – a 2% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Austin, TX runs roughly 36% less than in Spokane, WA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Austin, TX is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.

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.

Expats usually find Austin, TX gentler on the wallet – expenses run 2% less than in Spokane, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.