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

😐 Solo nomad: Helena, MT is 29.7% more expensive than Austin, TX without rent, and 13.4% more expensive with rent.
πŸ™‚ Family of 3: Helena, MT is 0.3% cheaper than Austin, TX without rent, and 6.6% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Helena, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.76 $19.76
$19.64 $19.64
0.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.3 $89.3
$76.2 $76.2
17.16%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.42 $13.42
$9.95 $9.95
34.87%
Cappuccino
$5.16 $5.16
$5.61 $5.61
-8.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28 $2.28
$2.64 $2.64
-13.64%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.19 $2.19
-21.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.85 $4.85
$5.84 $5.84
-16.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.59 $6.59
$7.92 $7.92
-16.79%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Helena, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.18 $1.18
$1.13 $1.13
4.42%
White Bread (500g)
$4.45 $4.45
$3.3 $3.3
34.85%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.64 $3.64
$3.5 $3.5
4.00%
Eggs
$4.3 $4.3
$4.4 $4.4
-2.27%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$31.15 $31.15
$12 $12
159.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.59 $9.59
$10.68 $10.68
-10.21%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.71 $19.71
$14.73 $14.73
33.81%
Apples (1kg)
$4.7 $4.7
$4.88 $4.88
-3.69%
Banana (1kg)
$1.75 $1.75
$1.52 $1.52
15.13%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.63 $4.63
$4.53 $4.53
2.21%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.54 $5.54
$3.92 $3.92
41.33%
Potato (1kg)
$2.14 $2.14
$2.72 $2.72
-21.32%
Onion (1kg)
$1.88 $1.88
$2.76 $2.76
-31.88%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.01 $2.01
-14.43%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.24 $2.24
$2.18 $2.18
2.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.99 $9.99
$8.86 $8.86
12.75%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.09 $13.09
$14.96 $14.96
-12.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.34 $2.34
-26.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59 $2.59
$3.44 $3.44
-24.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Helena, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.41 $3.41
$1.48 $1.48
130.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$59.1 $59.1
$42.82 $42.82
38.02%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$9.91 $9.91
$4.3 $4.3
130.47%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.45 $3.45
$1.82 $1.82
89.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$45.6 $45.6
$34.63 $34.63
31.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$0.73 $0.73
15.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.2K $36.2K
$25.5K $25.5K
42.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.8K $30.8K
$26.3K $26.3K
17.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Helena, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$366 $366
$177 $177
107.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$76.6 $76.6
$58.9 $58.9
29.95%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$91.7 $91.7
$64.8 $64.8
41.38%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Helena, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.87 $49.87
$62.6 $62.6
-20.32%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.92 $14.92
$10.17 $10.17
46.71%
Cinema Ticket
$10.62 $10.62
$14.72 $14.72
-27.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Helena, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,924 $1,924
$1,378 $1,378
39.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$22.7K $22.7K
$22.4K $22.4K
1.39%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Helena, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7 $59.7
$56.3 $56.3
6.00%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$119 $119
$46.46 $46.46
157.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.8 $88.8
$86.7 $86.7
2.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 $114
$119 $119
-3.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Helena, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,644 $1,644
$2,188 $2,188
-24.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,404 $1,404
$1,395 $1,395
0.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,615 $2,615
$3,896 $3,896
-32.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,209 $2,209
$2,689 $2,689
-17.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,798 $6,798
$4,414 $4,414
54.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,638 $5,638
$3,161 $3,161
78.36%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Helena, MT
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,879 $6,879
$4,871 $4,871
41.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.71
6.45
4.03%

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

Last update for Helena, MT: October 28, 2025

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

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