Cost of Living Comparison Between Hickory, NC and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Hickory, NC and Austin, TX

๐Ÿ˜ Solo nomad: Hickory, NC is 2.1% more expensive than Austin, TX without rent, and 15.2% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Hickory, NC is 8.9% cheaper than Austin, TX without rent, and 24.1% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Hickory, NC
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.74 $19.74
$19.64 $19.64
0.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.4 $70.4
$76.2 $76.2
-7.71%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.86 $10.86
$9.95 $9.95
9.15%
Cappuccino
$5.63 $5.63
$5.61 $5.61
0.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.64 $2.64
4.92%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.19 $2.19
6.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.84 $5.84
$5.84 $5.84
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.87 $6.87
$7.92 $7.92
-13.26%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Hickory, NC
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.95 $0.95
$1.13 $1.13
-15.93%
White Bread (500g)
$3.71 $3.71
$3.3 $3.3
12.42%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.59 $4.59
$3.5 $3.5
31.14%
Eggs
$2.47 $2.47
$4.4 $4.4
-43.86%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.78 $12.78
$12 $12
6.50%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.12 $9.12
$10.68 $10.68
-14.61%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.75 $19.75
$14.73 $14.73
34.08%
Apples (1kg)
$5.62 $5.62
$4.88 $4.88
15.16%
Banana (1kg)
$1.31 $1.31
$1.52 $1.52
-13.82%
Oranges (1kg)
$7.14 $7.14
$4.53 $4.53
57.62%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.57 $5.57
$3.92 $3.92
42.09%
Potato (1kg)
$4.84 $4.84
$2.72 $2.72
77.94%
Onion (1kg)
$3.83 $3.83
$2.76 $2.76
38.77%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.86 $1.86
$2.01 $2.01
-7.46%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.27 $2.27
$2.18 $2.18
4.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.81 $6.81
$8.86 $8.86
-23.14%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.17 $15.17
$14.96 $14.96
1.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67 $1.67
$2.34 $2.34
-28.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05 $3.05
$3.44 $3.44
-11.34%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Hickory, NC
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.22 $1.22
$1.48 $1.48
-17.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$45.29 $45.29
$42.82 $42.82
5.77%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.45 $3.45
$4.3 $4.3
-19.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.53 $1.53
$1.82 $1.82
-15.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$18.18 $18.18
$34.63 $34.63
-47.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.75 $0.75
$0.73 $0.73
2.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.9K $35.9K
$25.5K $25.5K
41.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K $24.5K
$26.3K $26.3K
-6.90%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hickory, NC
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$160 $160
$177 $177
-9.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.5 $54.5
$58.9 $58.9
-7.57%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.4 $62.4
$64.8 $64.8
-3.82%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Hickory, NC
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$35.22 $35.22
$62.6 $62.6
-43.73%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.17 $10.17
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.19 $13.19
$14.72 $14.72
-10.39%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Hickory, NC
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,725 $1,725
$1,378 $1,378
25.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,821 $9,821
$22.4K $22.4K
-56.14%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Hickory, NC
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.16 $47.16
$56.3 $56.3
-16.22%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.04 $45.04
$46.46 $46.46
-3.06%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96 $96
$86.7 $86.7
10.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139 $139
$119 $119
16.99%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Hickory, NC
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,209 $1,209
$2,188 $2,188
-44.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$993 $993
$1,395 $1,395
-28.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,870 $1,870
$3,896 $3,896
-51.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,323 $1,323
$2,689 $2,689
-50.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,218 $2,218
$4,414 $4,414
-49.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,110 $2,110
$3,161 $3,161
-33.25%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Hickory, NC
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,696 $3,696
$4,871 $4,871
-24.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.85
6.45
-24.81%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Hickory, NC: October 27, 2025

Last update for Austin, TX: October 28, 2025

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