Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Tak

For one person, living is cheaper in Tak: $938 a month against $2,698 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $21,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,698
/mo nomad
Tak
🇹🇭 Thailand
$938
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Austin, TX and in Tak

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 Tak actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,698 in Austin, TX versus $938 in Tak.

  • Austin, TX $2,698
  • Tak $938

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,160 in Austin, TX versus $1,488 in Tak.

  • Austin, TX $4,160
  • Tak $1,488

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,622 in Austin, TX versus $2,039 in Tak.

  • Austin, TX $5,622
  • Tak $2,039

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 188% more expensive than in Tak, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Austin, TX is 99% above, Tak is 31% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Tak
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.63 $20.63
$3.38 ฿113
510.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$21.54 ฿720
292.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.07 $12.07
$7.23 ฿242
66.94%
Cappuccino
$5.48 $5.48
$1.74 ฿58.1
214.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80 $3.80
$0.60 ฿20.07
533.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 $2.47
$0.33 ฿10.93
648.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$1.91 ฿63.8
321.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.88 $8.88
$3.08 ฿103
188.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Tak
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.11 $1.11
$1.57 ฿52.6
-29.30%
White Bread (500g)
$3.72 $3.72
$1.34 ฿44.76
177.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.37 $3.37
$1.33 ฿44.41
153.38%
Eggs
$4.32 $4.32
$2.16 ฿72.3
100.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.13 $13.13
$16.40 ฿548
-19.94%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.15 $14.15
$2.90 ฿96.8
387.93%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.33 $16.33
$11.41 ฿381
43.12%
Apples (1kg)
$4.55 $4.55
$2.91 ฿97.4
56.36%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.03 ฿34.47
41.75%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$2.26 ฿75.6
108.41%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.15 $4.15
$2.21 ฿73.9
87.78%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.49 ฿49.69
73.15%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.06 ฿35.59
121.70%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.15 ฿38.47
53.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$0.53 ฿17.70
303.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.10 $10.10
$4.47 ฿149
125.95%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.19 $15.19
$16.78 ฿561
-9.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 $2.82
$1.62 ฿54.3
74.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$2.99 ฿100
15.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Tak
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.54 $1.54
$0.81 ฿27.11
90.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.99 $40.99
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.80 $2.80
$1.35 ฿45.00
107.41%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.60 $1.60
$1.18 ฿39.33
35.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.34 $34.34
$5.56 ฿186
517.63%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$1.51 ฿50.4
-37.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0K $34.0K
$26.3K ฿877.5K
29.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K $26.8K
$26.0K ฿870.1K
2.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Tak
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$223 $223
$85.9 ฿2,869
159.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$12.38 ฿414
375.77%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.6 $70.6
$20.05 ฿670
252.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Tak
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.7 $57.7
$41.87 ฿1,399
37.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.53 $16.53
$14.06 ฿470
17.57%
Cinema Ticket
$14.26 $14.26
$5.92 ฿198
140.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Tak
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,511 $1,511
$595 ฿19.9K
153.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.9K $20.9K
$11.2K ฿373.1K
87.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Tak
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$43.91 ฿1,467
16.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.17 $44.17
$30.26 ฿1,011
45.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.0 $87.0
$80.4 ฿2,686
8.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 $104
$79.2 ฿2,647
31.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Tak
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,940 $1,940
$416 ฿13.9K
365.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 $1,316
$314 ฿10.5K
319.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$1,208 ฿40.4K
203.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,565 $2,565
$692 ฿23.1K
270.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,354 $7,354
$2,060 ฿68.8K
257.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,129 $3,129
$1,359 ฿45.4K
130.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Tak
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,286 $5,286
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
5.57
21.90%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 19, 2026

Last update for Tak: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Tak
$314 76.2% $1K
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$406
Tak
$247 39.1% $159
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$352
Tak
$118 66.4% $234
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$350
Tak
$89 74.6% $261
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$129
Tak
$105 18.5% $24
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Tak
$54 37.7% $33
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$58
Tak
$10 * 81.9% $47

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,940 in Austin, TX and $416 in Tak. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $85.0 in Austin, TX vs $22.00 in Tak for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $406 vs $247 per month, with Tak cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇹🇭 Tak
🕒 Local time
11:19 11:19 AM
23:19 11:19 PM
12 h ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
19,900
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 21, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Tak 14,470 km ≈ 19 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Tak

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 Tak: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Tak?
Tak wins on cost – living expenses run 188% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Tak the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Austin, TX and in Tak?
You'd need roughly $4,046 in Austin, TX and $1,407 in Tak 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 Tak?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,940 in Austin, TX versus $416 in Tak. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Austin, TX and in Tak?
Childcare runs $1,511 in Austin, TX versus $595 in Tak. 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 and in Tak?
Dining out is cheaper in Tak – a meal for two runs $22.00 versus $85.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Austin, TX or in Tak?
At $938 in Tak versus $2,698 in Austin, TX, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Tak but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Tak the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or Tak?
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 Tak?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Tak 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 Tak gentler on the wallet – expenses run 188% 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

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