Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Karlovo and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Karlovo: $785 a month against $2,698 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $23,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Karlovo
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
$785
/mo nomad
Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,698
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Karlovo 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 Karlovo and in Austin, TX actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $785 in Karlovo versus $2,698 in Austin, TX.

  • Karlovo $785
  • Austin, TX $2,698

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,263 in Karlovo versus $4,160 in Austin, TX.

  • Karlovo $1,263
  • Austin, TX $4,160

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,742 in Karlovo versus $5,622 in Austin, TX.

  • Karlovo $1,742
  • Austin, TX $5,622

Living in Karlovo costs roughly 71% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Karlovo is 42% below, Austin, TX is 99% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Karlovo
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.09 BGN 12.34
$20.63 $20.63
-65.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.57 BGN 58.4
$84.6 $84.6
-60.31%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.66 BGN 15.07
$12.07 $12.07
-28.25%
Cappuccino
$1.45 BGN 2.53
$5.48 $5.48
-73.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 BGN 1.79
$3.80 $3.80
-72.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74 BGN 1.28
$2.47 $2.47
-70.04%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.96 BGN 3.41
$8.05 $8.05
-75.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 BGN 3.04
$8.88 $8.88
-80.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karlovo
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.17 BGN 2.04
$1.11 $1.11
5.41%
White Bread (500g)
$0.84 BGN 1.47
$3.72 $3.72
-77.42%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.87 BGN 3.25
$3.37 $3.37
-44.51%
Eggs
$3.27 BGN 5.69
$4.32 $4.32
-24.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.92 BGN 17.26
$13.13 $13.13
-24.45%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.31 BGN 14.45
$14.15 $14.15
-41.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.86 BGN 10.20
$16.33 $16.33
-64.12%
Apples (1kg)
$1.26 BGN 2.19
$4.55 $4.55
-72.31%
Banana (1kg)
$1.96 BGN 3.41
$1.46 $1.46
34.25%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.13 BGN 3.70
$4.71 $4.71
-54.78%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.11 BGN 3.68
$4.15 $4.15
-49.16%
Potato (1kg)
$0.48 BGN 0.84
$2.58 $2.58
-81.40%
Onion (1kg)
$0.90 BGN 1.56
$2.35 $2.35
-61.70%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 BGN 1.71
$1.77 $1.77
-44.07%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 BGN 1.34
$2.14 $2.14
-64.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.24 BGN 5.64
$10.10 $10.10
-67.92%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.69 BGN 11.64
$15.19 $15.19
-55.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99 BGN 1.72
$2.82 $2.82
-64.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89 BGN 3.29
$3.44 $3.44
-45.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Karlovo
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.11 BGN 1.93
$1.54 $1.54
-27.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$23.67 BGN 41.18
$40.99 $40.99
-42.25%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.17 BGN 2.03
$2.80 $2.80
-58.21%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.71 BGN 1.23
$1.60 $1.60
-55.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.78 BGN 20.50
$34.34 $34.34
-65.70%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.40 BGN 2.43
$0.94 $0.94
48.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.0K BGN 52.2K
$34.0K $34.0K
-11.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K BGN 38.8K
$26.8K $26.8K
-16.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karlovo
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$104 BGN 180
$223 $223
-53.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.45 BGN 25.13
$58.9 $58.9
-75.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.91 BGN 20.72
$70.6 $70.6
-83.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karlovo
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.57 BGN 51.5
$57.7 $57.7
-48.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.35 BGN 30.18
$16.53 $16.53
4.96%
Cinema Ticket
$5.57 BGN 9.69
$14.26 $14.26
-60.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karlovo
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$226 BGN 393
$1,511 $1,511
-85.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,755 BGN 10.0K
$20.9K $20.9K
-72.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karlovo
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.50 BGN 49.60
$51.3 $51.3
-44.41%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.54 BGN 20.08
$44.17 $44.17
-73.87%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$56.9 BGN 99.0
$87.0 $87.0
-34.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$45.99 BGN 80.0
$104 $104
-55.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karlovo
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$335 BGN 583
$1,940 $1,940
-82.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$191 BGN 332
$1,316 $1,316
-85.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$534 BGN 929
$3,664 $3,664
-85.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$403 BGN 701
$2,565 $2,565
-84.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,320 BGN 2,297
$7,354 $7,354
-82.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,083 BGN 1,885
$3,129 $3,129
-65.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karlovo
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$448 BGN 779
$5,286 $5,286
-91.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
3.25
6.79
-52.14%

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

Last update for Karlovo: October 19, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Karlovo
$205
Austin, TX
$406 97.8% $201
Accommodation & Living
Karlovo
$191
Austin, TX
$1.3K 589% $1.1K
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karlovo
$130
Austin, TX
$352 171% $222
Eating Out
Karlovo
$121
Austin, TX
$350 191% $230
Clothing & Footwear
Karlovo
$64
Austin, TX
$129 101% $65
Sport & Entertainment
Karlovo
$41
Austin, TX
$86 112% $46
Getting Around
Karlovo
$33
Austin, TX
$58 76.5% $25

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $335 in Karlovo and $1,940 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 1081% 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: $34.00 in Karlovo vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $205 vs $406 per month, with Karlovo cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇧🇬 Karlovo
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🕒 Local time
18:24 6:24 PM
10:24 10:24 AM
8 h behind Karlovo
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
23,919
974,447
💱 Currency
Bulgarian Lev BGN лв.
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BGN – Bulgarian Lev Converter

Bulgarian Lev exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 1.74 BGN (1 BGN = 0.575 USD). 1 EUR = 1.96 BGN (1 BGN = 0.511 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Karlovo Austin, TX 10,010 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Karlovo
  • 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
Karlovo vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Karlovo or Austin, TX?
Karlovo wins on cost – living expenses run 244% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Karlovo the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Karlovo or in Austin, TX?
On paper, salaries run 1081% 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 Karlovo compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $335 in Karlovo versus $1,940 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 Karlovo compared to Austin, TX?
All in, you'll spend $785 per month in Karlovo versus $2,698 in Austin, TX – a 244% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Karlovo compared to Austin, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Karlovo runs roughly 73% 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 $1,500/month in Karlovo or in Austin, TX?
At $785 in Karlovo versus $2,698 in Austin, TX, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Karlovo but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Karlovo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Karlovo 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 Karlovo compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Karlovo 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 Karlovo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 244% 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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