Cost of Living Comparison Between Hamilton, MT and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Hamilton, MT and Austin, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,572 in Hamilton, MT versus $2,719 in Austin, TX.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,430 in Hamilton, MT versus $4,117 in Austin, TX.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,288 in Hamilton, MT versus $5,515 in Austin, TX.

Living in Hamilton, MT costs roughly 5% less than in Austin, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Hamilton, MT 92% above, Austin, TX 103% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hamilton, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.21 $19.21
$19.99 $19.99
-3.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.6 $75.6
$76.2 $76.2
-0.85%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.79 $10.79
$10.13 $10.13
6.52%
Cappuccino
$5.11 $5.11
$5.49 $5.49
-6.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 $2.48
$2.72 $2.72
-8.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.14 $2.14
-8.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.14 $6.14
$6.07 $6.07
1.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.94 $6.94
$8.04 $8.04
-13.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hamilton, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.09 $1.09
-7.34%
White Bread (500g)
$3.48 $3.48
$3.34 $3.34
4.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$3.42 $3.42
28.95%
Eggs
$4.23 $4.23
$4.32 $4.32
-2.08%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.35 $12.35
$11.80 $11.80
4.66%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.70 $11.70
$10.68 $10.68
9.55%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.27 $15.27
$14.50 $14.50
5.31%
Apples (1kg)
$6.11 $6.11
$4.79 $4.79
27.56%
Banana (1kg)
$1.33 $1.33
$1.50 $1.50
-11.33%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.30 $4.30
$4.51 $4.51
-4.66%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.67 $4.67
$4.04 $4.04
15.59%
Potato (1kg)
$2.90 $2.90
$2.76 $2.76
5.07%
Onion (1kg)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.79 $2.79
-0.72%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.08 $2.08
$2.04 $2.04
1.96%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.21 $2.21
$2.15 $2.15
2.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.56 $9.56
$9.23 $9.23
3.58%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.15 $15.15
$14.81 $14.81
2.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 $1.86
$2.29 $2.29
-18.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28 $3.28
$3.53 $3.53
-7.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Hamilton, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.06 $2.06
$1.52 $1.52
35.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$43.64 $43.64
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.43 $3.43
$4.29 $4.29
-20.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.60 $1.60
$1.82 $1.82
-12.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.46 $29.46
$35.52 $35.52
-17.06%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 $0.83
$0.77 $0.77
7.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7K $29.7K
$25.6K $25.6K
16.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$26.3K $26.3K
-1.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hamilton, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$201 $201
$172 $172
16.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.9 $51.9
$60.3 $60.3
-13.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$77.2 $77.2
$67.2 $67.2
14.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hamilton, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.46 $42.46
$62.8 $62.8
-32.43%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$9.85 $9.85
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.37 $13.37
$14.73 $14.73
-9.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hamilton, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,308 $1,308
$1,398 $1,398
-6.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.7K $23.7K
$21.8K $21.8K
8.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hamilton, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.4 $51.4
$55.1 $55.1
-6.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.12 $40.12
$45.66 $45.66
-12.13%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.9 $85.9
$86.8 $86.8
-0.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 $113
$115 $115
-2.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hamilton, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$915 $915
$2,245 $2,245
-59.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,371 $1,371
$1,401 $1,401
-2.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,981 $1,981
$3,782 $3,782
-47.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,526 $1,526
$2,708 $2,708
-43.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,242 $2,242
$7,304 $7,304
-69.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,359 $2,359
$3,331 $3,331
-29.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hamilton, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,603 $3,603
$4,910 $4,910
-26.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.45
0.93%

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

Last update for Hamilton, MT: April 21, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $915 in Hamilton, MT and $2,245 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 36% 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: $76 in Hamilton, MT vs $76 in Austin, TX. Groceries flip the comparison at $395 vs $375, with Austin, TX 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
Hamilton, MT vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Hamilton, MT or Austin, TX?
Hamilton, MT wins on cost – living expenses run 6% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Hamilton, MT the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Hamilton, MT or Austin, TX?
On paper, Austin, TX earns 36% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Hamilton, MT vs Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $915 in Hamilton, MT versus $2,245 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Hamilton, MT and Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $1,308 in Hamilton, MT versus $1,398 in Austin, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Hamilton, MT vs Austin, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Hamilton, MT – a meal for two runs $76.0 versus $76.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Hamilton, MT or Austin, TX?
At $2,572 in Hamilton, MT versus $2,719 in Austin, TX, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Hamilton, MT but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Hamilton, MT the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Hamilton, MT or Austin, TX?
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 Hamilton, MT compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Hamilton, MT 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 Hamilton, MT gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% 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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