Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Valley Center, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Valley Center, CA

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: Austin, TX is 1.5% more expensive than Valley Center, CA without rent, and 5.6% more expensive with rent.
๐Ÿ˜ Family of 3: Austin, TX is 7.1% more expensive than Valley Center, CA without rent, and 13% more expensive with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Austin, TX
Valley Center, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$17.87 $17.87
9.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.2 $76.2
$80.8 $80.8
-5.60%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.95 $9.95
$15.28 $15.28
-34.88%
Cappuccino
$5.61 $5.61
$5.15 $5.15
8.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$3.58 $3.58
-26.26%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$2.31 $2.31
-5.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$7.36 $7.36
-20.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.92 $7.92
$7.8 $7.8
1.54%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Valley Center, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 $1.13
$0.93 $0.93
21.51%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$3.28 $3.28
0.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$4.76 $4.76
-26.47%
Eggs
$4.4 $4.4
$3.83 $3.83
14.88%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12 $12
$12.35 $12.35
-2.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.68 $10.68
$6.64 $6.64
60.84%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.73 $14.73
$15.63 $15.63
-5.76%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$4.46 $4.46
9.42%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 $1.52
$1.72 $1.72
-11.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$5.06 $5.06
-10.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$4.37 $4.37
-10.30%
Potato (1kg)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.22 $2.22
22.52%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$1.97 $1.97
40.10%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.02 $2.02
-0.50%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.46 $1.46
49.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.86 $8.86
$9.92 $9.92
-10.69%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 $14.96
$8.84 $8.84
69.23%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$1.9 $1.9
23.16%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$2.04 $2.04
68.63%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Austin, TX
Valley Center, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.48 $1.48
$2.04 $2.04
-27.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$42.82 $42.82
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.3 $4.3
$6.69 $6.69
-35.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.82 $1.82
$1.64 $1.64
10.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.63 $34.63
$29.12 $29.12
18.92%
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
$25.4K $25.4K
0.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$29.1K $29.1K
-9.71%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Valley Center, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$177 $177
$156 $156
12.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$53.8 $53.8
9.62%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.8 $64.8
$58 $58
11.79%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Valley Center, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.6 $62.6
$42.39 $42.39
47.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.17 $10.17
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$15.04 $15.04
-2.13%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Valley Center, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,378 $1,378
$1,505 $1,505
-8.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.4K $22.4K
$23.3K $23.3K
-4.05%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Valley Center, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.3 $56.3
$47.98 $47.98
17.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.46 $46.46
$33.95 $33.95
36.85%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.7 $86.7
$104 $104
-16.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 $119
$100 $100
18.56%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Valley Center, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,188 $2,188
$1,591 $1,591
37.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,395 $1,395
$1,355 $1,355
2.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,896 $3,896
$2,671 $2,671
45.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,689 $2,689
$2,209 $2,209
21.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,414 $4,414
$2,502 $2,502
76.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,161 $3,161
$2,808 $2,808
12.59%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Valley Center, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,871 $4,871
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.64
-2.86%

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 Valley Center, CA: October 29, 2025

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