Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Austin, TX and Zgorzelec

For one person, living is cheaper in Zgorzelec: $1,412 a month against $2,698 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $15,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,698
/mo nomad
Zgorzelec
🇵🇱 Poland
$1,412
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,698 in Austin, TX versus $1,412 in Zgorzelec.

  • Austin, TX $2,698
  • Zgorzelec $1,412

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,160 in Austin, TX versus $2,062 in Zgorzelec.

  • Austin, TX $4,160
  • Zgorzelec $2,062

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,622 in Austin, TX versus $2,712 in Zgorzelec.

  • Austin, TX $5,622
  • Zgorzelec $2,712

Living in Austin, TX is roughly 91% more expensive than in Zgorzelec, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Austin, TX 99% above, Zgorzelec 4% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Austin, TX
Zgorzelec
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.63 $20.63
$8.96 zł 34.83
130.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$84.6 $84.6
$50.8 zł 197
66.51%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.07 $12.07
$7.65 zł 29.70
57.78%
Cappuccino
$5.48 $5.48
$3.09 zł 12.02
77.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80 $3.80
$0.88 zł 3.40
331.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47 $2.47
$1.57 zł 6.09
57.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.05 $8.05
$1.49 zł 5.77
440.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.88 $8.88
$2.01 zł 7.79
341.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
Zgorzelec
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.11 $1.11
$0.91 zł 3.52
21.98%
White Bread (500g)
$3.72 $3.72
$1.20 zł 4.67
210.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.37 $3.37
$1.43 zł 5.54
135.66%
Eggs
$4.32 $4.32
$3.60 zł 13.97
20.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.13 $13.13
$8.70 zł 33.79
50.92%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.15 $14.15
$6.13 zł 23.83
130.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.33 $16.33
$13.18 zł 51.2
23.90%
Apples (1kg)
$4.55 $4.55
$0.86 zł 3.32
429.07%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 $1.46
$1.55 zł 6.04
-5.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.71 $4.71
$1.68 zł 6.53
180.36%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.15 $4.15
$1.50 zł 5.81
176.67%
Potato (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$0.66 zł 2.57
290.91%
Onion (1kg)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.01 zł 3.91
132.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.77 $1.77
$1.23 zł 4.76
43.90%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$0.69 zł 2.68
210.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.10 $10.10
$4.72 zł 18.35
113.98%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.19 $15.19
$7.56 zł 29.36
100.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.82 $2.82
$0.87 zł 3.39
224.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 $3.44
$1.40 zł 5.45
145.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Austin, TX
Zgorzelec
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.54 $1.54
$1.05 zł 4.07
46.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.99 $40.99
$30.83 zł 120
32.95%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.80 $2.80
$2.23 zł 8.66
25.56%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.60 $1.60
$0.99 zł 3.85
61.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$34.34 $34.34
$12.86 zł 49.96
167.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.94 $0.94
$1.67 zł 6.47
-43.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0K $34.0K
$30.9K zł 119.9K
10.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K $26.8K
$26.7K zł 103.9K
0.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
Zgorzelec
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$223 $223
$295 zł 1,147
-24.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$58.9 $58.9
$7.65 zł 29.71
669.93%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.6 $70.6
$18.94 zł 73.6
272.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
Zgorzelec
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.7 $57.7
$38.09 zł 148
51.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.53 $16.53
$21.82 zł 84.8
-24.24%
Cinema Ticket
$14.26 $14.26
$7.55 zł 29.35
88.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Austin, TX
Zgorzelec
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,511 $1,511
$483 zł 1,875
213.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.9K $20.9K
$7,429 zł 28.9K
181.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
Zgorzelec
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.3 $51.3
$77.2 zł 300
-33.61%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.17 $44.17
$37.43 zł 145
18.01%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.0 $87.0
$85.4 zł 332
1.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 $104
$108 zł 420
-3.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
Zgorzelec
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,940 $1,940
$603 zł 2,341
221.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,316 $1,316
$498 zł 1,935
164.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,664 $3,664
$994 zł 3,860
268.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,565 $2,565
$815 zł 3,168
214.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,354 $7,354
$2,924 zł 11.4K
151.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,129 $3,129
$2,192 zł 8,515
42.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Austin, TX
Zgorzelec
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,286 $5,286
$1,356 zł 5,270
289.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.79
6.63
2.41%

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

Last update for Austin, TX: October 19, 2026

Last update for Zgorzelec: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Austin, TX
$1.3K
Zgorzelec
$498 62.2% $818
Groceries & Markets
Austin, TX
$406
Zgorzelec
$205 49.6% $201
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Austin, TX
$352
Zgorzelec
$322 8.6% $30
Eating Out
Austin, TX
$350
Zgorzelec
$153 56.3% $197
Clothing & Footwear
Austin, TX
$129
Zgorzelec
$139 7.4% $9.6
Sport & Entertainment
Austin, TX
$86
Zgorzelec
$53 38.3% $33
Getting Around
Austin, TX
$58
Zgorzelec
$42 27.1% $16

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,940 in Austin, TX and $603 in Zgorzelec. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 290% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $85.0 in Austin, TX vs $51.0 in Zgorzelec for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $406 vs $205 per month, with Zgorzelec cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🇵🇱 Zgorzelec
🕒 Local time
14:59 2:59 PM
21:59 9:59 PM
7 h ahead of Austin, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
974,447
29,534
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PLN, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Polish Złoty exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 3.89 PLN (1 PLN = 0.257 USD). 1 EUR = 4.37 PLN (1 PLN = 0.229 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Austin, TX Zgorzelec 8,830 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Austin, TX
  • Zgorzelec

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 Zgorzelec: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Austin, TX or Zgorzelec?
Zgorzelec wins on cost – living expenses run 91% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Zgorzelec the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Austin, TX or in Zgorzelec?
Average pay runs 290% higher in Austin, TX, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Austin, TX compared to Zgorzelec?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,940 in Austin, TX versus $603 in Zgorzelec. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Austin, TX compared to Zgorzelec?
All in, you'll spend $2,698 per month in Austin, TX versus $1,412 in Zgorzelec – a 91% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Austin, TX compared to Zgorzelec?
A monthly transit pass in Zgorzelec runs roughly 33% less than in Austin, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Austin, TX or in Zgorzelec?
At $1,412 in Zgorzelec versus $2,698 in Austin, TX, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Zgorzelec but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Zgorzelec the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Austin, TX or Zgorzelec?
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 Zgorzelec?
Safety-wise, Austin, TX and Zgorzelec 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 Zgorzelec gentler on the wallet – expenses run 91% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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