πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,051 in Centennial, CO versus $2,719 in Austin, TX.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,316 in Centennial, CO versus $4,117 in Austin, TX.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,582 in Centennial, CO versus $5,515 in Austin, TX.
πLiving in Centennial, CO is roughly 12% more expensive than Austin, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth cities are pricier than the global median: Centennial, CO128% above, Austin, TX103% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Centennial, CO
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.04$20.04
$19.99$19.99
0.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$93.8$93.8
$76.2$76.2
23.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.09$13.09
$10.13$10.13
29.22%
Cappuccino
$5.85$5.85
$5.49$5.49
6.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97$2.97
$2.72$2.72
9.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01$2.01
$2.14$2.14
-6.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.04$8.04
$6.07$6.07
32.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$12.16$12.16
$8.04$8.04
51.24%
π Groceries & Markets
Centennial, CO
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14$1.14
$1.09$1.09
4.59%
White Bread(500g)
$2.77$2.77
$3.34$3.34
-17.07%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.32$4.32
$3.42$3.42
26.32%
Eggs
$6.60$6.60
$4.32$4.32
52.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.38$12.38
$11.80$11.80
4.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.06$6.06
$10.68$10.68
-43.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.79$18.79
$14.50$14.50
29.59%
Apples(1kg)
$3.06$3.06
$4.79$4.79
-36.12%
Banana(1kg)
$1.09$1.09
$1.50$1.50
-27.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.26$3.26
$4.51$4.51
-27.72%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.89$2.89
$4.04$4.04
-28.47%
Potato(1kg)
$1.50$1.50
$2.76$2.76
-45.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.92$1.92
$2.79$2.79
-31.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.51$2.51
$2.04$2.04
23.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.96$1.96
$2.15$2.15
-8.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.89$10.89
$9.23$9.23
17.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.97$17.97
$14.81$14.81
21.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83$1.83
$2.29$2.29
-20.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30$3.30
$3.53$3.53
-6.52%
π Getting Around
Centennial, CO
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$8.04$8.04
$1.52$1.52
428.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$88.2$88.2
$43.64$43.64
102.04%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.49$3.49
$4.29$4.29
-18.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.58$1.58
$1.82$1.82
-13.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.07$29.07
$35.52$35.52
-18.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.92$0.92
$0.77$0.77
19.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$45.6K$45.6K
$25.6K$25.6K
77.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K$22.5K
$26.3K$26.3K
-14.61%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Centennial, CO
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$238$238
$172$172
38.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.78$34.78
$60.3$60.3
-42.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.0$74.0
$67.2$67.2
10.04%
π Sport & Entertainment
Centennial, CO
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.66$49.66
$62.8$62.8
-20.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$9.85$9.85
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.14$17.14
$14.73$14.73
16.36%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Centennial, CO
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,260$1,260
$1,398$1,398
-9.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$19.6K$19.6K
$21.8K$21.8K
-9.88%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Centennial, CO
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.2$53.2
$55.1$55.1
-3.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.68$32.68
$45.66$45.66
-28.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.2$93.2
$86.8$86.8
7.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.8$83.8
$115$115
-27.40%
π Accommodation & Living
Centennial, CO
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,828$1,828
$2,245$2,245
-18.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,663$1,663
$1,401$1,401
18.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,160$3,160
$3,782$3,782
-16.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,493$2,493
$2,708$2,708
-7.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,159$3,159
$7,304$7,304
-56.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,798$2,798
$3,331$3,331
-15.99%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Centennial, CO
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,860$6,860
$4,910$4,910
39.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.25
6.45
-18.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Centennial, CO: April 22, 2026
Last update for Austin, TX: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,828 in Centennial, CO and $2,245 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Centennial, CO pays 40% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $94 in Centennial, CO vs $76 in Austin, TX. Groceries flip the comparison at $349 vs $375, with Centennial, CO cheaper for home cooking.
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
Centennial, CO vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Centennial, CO or Austin, TX?
Austin, TX wins on cost β living expenses run 12% lower than in Centennial, CO. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Austin, TX the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Centennial, CO or Austin, TX?
Centennial, CO pays 40% more on average, 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 Centennial, CO vs Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,828 in Centennial, CO versus $2,245 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Centennial, CO compared to Austin, TX?
All in, you'll spend $3,051 per month in Centennial, CO versus $2,719 in Austin, TX β a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Centennial, CO vs Austin, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Austin, TX runs roughly 102% less than in Centennial, CO. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Centennial, CO or Austin, TX?
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.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Centennial, CO or Austin, TX?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Centennial, CO compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Centennial, CO and Austin, TX 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 Austin, TX gentler on the wallet β expenses run 12% less than in Centennial, CO. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Centennial, CO vs other spots: cost of living compared