Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Heraklion and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Heraklion: $1,609 a month against $2,704 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $13,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Heraklion
🇬🇷 Greece
$1,609
/mo nomad
Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,704
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Heraklion and in Austin, TX actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,609 in Heraklion versus $2,704 in Austin, TX.

  • Heraklion $1,609
  • Austin, TX $2,704

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,492 in Heraklion versus $4,133 in Austin, TX.

  • Heraklion $2,492
  • Austin, TX $4,133

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,374 in Heraklion versus $5,562 in Austin, TX.

  • Heraklion $3,374
  • Austin, TX $5,562

Living in Heraklion costs roughly 40% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Heraklion 20% above, Austin, TX 102% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Heraklion
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.02 €11.62
$20.22 $20.22
-35.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$56.5 €50.4
$85.0 $85.0
-33.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.03 €8.96
$12.35 $12.35
-18.79%
Cappuccino
$3.80 €3.39
$5.47 $5.47
-30.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43 €2.17
$3.82 $3.82
-36.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 €0.68
$2.50 $2.50
-69.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.62 €5.02
$8.06 $8.06
-30.27%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.48 €4.89
$8.99 $8.99
-39.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Heraklion
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 €1.60
$1.13 $1.13
58.41%
White Bread (500g)
$1.47 €1.32
$3.78 $3.78
-61.11%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.73 €2.43
$3.25 $3.25
-16.00%
Eggs
$4.38 €3.91
$4.14 $4.14
5.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.75 €14.06
$13.08 $13.08
20.41%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.42 €9.30
$14.31 $14.31
-27.18%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.23 €13.59
$15.96 $15.96
-4.57%
Apples (1kg)
$2.23 €1.99
$4.38 $4.38
-49.09%
Banana (1kg)
$2.08 €1.86
$1.45 $1.45
43.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.34 €1.20
$4.54 $4.54
-70.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.76 €1.57
$4.19 $4.19
-58.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.18 €1.05
$2.63 $2.63
-55.13%
Onion (1kg)
$1.22 €1.09
$2.36 $2.36
-48.31%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.94 €0.84
$1.76 $1.76
-46.59%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71 €0.63
$2.16 $2.16
-67.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.12 €4.57
$9.81 $9.81
-47.81%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.80 €6.96
$14.72 $14.72
-47.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.27 €2.03
$2.78 $2.78
-18.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 €2.57
$3.48 $3.48
-17.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Heraklion
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.47 €1.31
$1.49 $1.49
-1.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$67.0 €59.8
$40.51 $40.51
65.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.51 €4.02
$2.67 $2.67
68.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.13 €1.01
$1.58 $1.58
-28.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.08 €9.89
$35.29 $35.29
-68.60%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.24 €2.00
$0.99 $0.99
126.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0K €25.0K
$35.8K $35.8K
-21.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K €21.5K
$27.2K $27.2K
-11.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Heraklion
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$195 €174
$219 $219
-11.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.21 €26.96
$58.0 $58.0
-47.90%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.66 €33.61
$68.4 $68.4
-44.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Heraklion
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.93 €44.56
$57.9 $57.9
-13.77%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$39.72 €35.44
$14.82 $14.82
168.02%
Cinema Ticket
$9.05 €8.07
$14.13 $14.13
-35.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Heraklion
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$410 €366
$1,509 $1,509
-72.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,089 €3,649
$21.5K $21.5K
-80.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Heraklion
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$89.0 €79.4
$51.7 $51.7
72.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.78 €38.18
$44.05 $44.05
-2.88%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.6 €73.7
$85.1 $85.1
-2.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$136 €122
$105 $105
29.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Heraklion
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$652 €582
$1,932 $1,932
-66.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$505 €450
$1,272 $1,272
-60.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,105 €986
$3,670 $3,670
-69.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,005 €897
$2,525 $2,525
-60.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,070 €3,632
$7,617 $7,617
-46.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,799 €2,498
$3,199 $3,199
-12.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Heraklion
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,111 €992
$5,105 $5,105
-78.23%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.44
6.79
-34.61%

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

Last update for Heraklion: October 3, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Heraklion
$505
Austin, TX
$1.3K 152% $768
Groceries & Markets
Heraklion
$295
Austin, TX
$403 36.6% $108
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Heraklion
$263
Austin, TX
$346 31.4% $83
Eating Out
Heraklion
$232
Austin, TX
$348 50.2% $116
Clothing & Footwear
Heraklion
$158
Austin, TX
$129 18.4% $29
Getting Around
Heraklion
$83
Austin, TX
$57 31.3% $26
Sport & Entertainment
Heraklion
$68
Austin, TX
$86 26.7% $18

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $652 in Heraklion and $1,932 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 359% 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: $56.0 in Heraklion vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $295 vs $403 per month, with Heraklion cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇬🇷 Heraklion
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🕒 Local time
10:41 10:41 AM
02:41 2:41 AM
8 h behind Heraklion
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
140,730
974,447
💱 Currency
Euro EUR €
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD to EUR – Euro Converter

Euro exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 0.892 EUR (1 EUR = 1.12 USD).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Heraklion Austin, TX 10,590 km ≈ 14 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Heraklion
  • Austin, TX

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
Heraklion vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Heraklion or Austin, TX?
Heraklion wins on cost – living expenses run 68% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Heraklion the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Heraklion or in Austin, TX?
On paper, salaries run 359% lower in Austin, TX. 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 Heraklion compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $652 in Heraklion versus $1,932 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 Heraklion compared to Austin, TX?
All in, you'll spend $1,609 per month in Heraklion versus $2,704 in Austin, TX – a 68% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Heraklion compared to Austin, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Heraklion runs roughly 65% 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 $2,500/month in Heraklion or in Austin, TX?
At $1,609 in Heraklion versus $2,704 in Austin, TX, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Heraklion but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Heraklion the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Heraklion 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 Heraklion compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Heraklion 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 Heraklion gentler on the wallet – expenses run 68% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Heraklion vs other spots: cost of living compared

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