Cost of Living Comparison Between Independence, KS and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Independence, KS and Austin, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,555 in Independence, KS versus $2,657 in Austin, TX.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,748 in Independence, KS versus $4,101 in Austin, TX.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,940 in Independence, KS versus $5,546 in Austin, TX.

Living in Independence, KS costs roughly 4% less than in Austin, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Independence, KS 91% above, Austin, TX 98% above.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.92 $18.92

$19.85 $19.85

-4.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.8 $73.8

$74.5 $74.5

-0.90%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.99 $10.99

$10.03 $10.03

9.57%

Cappuccino

$5.07 $5.07

$5.52 $5.52

-8.15%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.78 $2.78

-7.91%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.01 $2.01

$2.10 $2.10

-4.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.11 $6.11

$6.04 $6.04

1.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.98 $6.98

$7.81 $7.81

-10.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.01 $1.01

$1.13 $1.13

-10.62%

White Bread (500g)

$3.55 $3.55

$3.45 $3.45

2.90%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.46 $4.46

$3.42 $3.42

30.41%

Eggs

$4.16 $4.16

$4.37 $4.37

-4.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.23 $12.23

$12.24 $12.24

-0.08%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.33 $11.33

$10.79 $10.79

5.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.18 $15.18

$14.36 $14.36

5.71%

Apples (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$4.99 $4.99

0.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.57 $1.57

$1.51 $1.51

3.97%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.38 $4.38

-0.23%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.78 $4.78

$3.96 $3.96

20.71%

Potato (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.74 $2.74

2.55%

Onion (1kg)

$2.91 $2.91

$2.77 $2.77

5.05%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.98 $1.98

6.57%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.28 $2.28

-3.51%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.73 $9.73

$8.74 $8.74

11.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.16 $15.16

$14.81 $14.81

2.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$2.26 $2.26

-21.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.28 $3.28

$3.58 $3.58

-8.38%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.54 $1.54

26.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.09 $43.09

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.60 $3.60

$4.45 $4.45

-19.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.61 $1.61

$1.81 $1.81

-11.05%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.53 $29.53

$35.30 $35.30

-16.35%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 $0.91

$0.74 $0.74

22.97%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.9K $29.9K

$25.5K $25.5K

17.14%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.5K $25.5K

$26.4K $26.4K

-3.55%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$189 $189

$170 $170

11.40%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.3 $53.3

$60.3 $60.3

-11.60%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.7 $67.7

$67.0 $67.0

0.95%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.09 $43.09

$61.6 $61.6

-30.06%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$9.83 $9.83

Cinema Ticket

$13.53 $13.53

$15.14 $15.14

-10.63%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,298 $1,298

$1,381 $1,381

-6.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.2K $23.2K

$21.8K $21.8K

6.68%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.8 $51.8

$56.9 $56.9

-9.01%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.47 $40.47

$45.94 $45.94

-11.91%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.3 $88.3

$86.0 $86.0

2.71%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 $113

$119 $119

-5.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,591 $1,591

$2,183 $2,183

-27.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,332 $1,332

$1,417 $1,417

-6.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,656 $2,656

$3,801 $3,801

-30.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,236 $2,236

$2,711 $2,711

-17.54%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,677 $2,677

$7,204 $7,204

-62.84%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,331 $2,331

$3,239 $3,239

-28.04%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,352 $5,352

$4,914 $4,914

8.89%

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 Independence, KS: April 26, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,591 in Independence, KS and $2,183 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Independence, KS pays 9% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $74.0 in Independence, KS vs $74.0 in Austin, TX. Groceries flip the comparison at $390 vs $379, 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

Independence, KS vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Independence, KS wins on cost – living expenses run 4% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Independence, KS the obvious pick if budget is a priority.

Independence, KS pays 9% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $1,591 in Independence, KS versus $2,183 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Childcare runs $1,298 in Independence, KS versus $1,381 in Austin, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.

Dining out is cheaper in Independence, KS – a meal for two runs $74.0 versus $74.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

At $2,555 in Independence, KS versus $2,657 in Austin, TX, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Independence, KS but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Independence, KS the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

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.

Expats usually find Independence, KS gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.