Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lompoc, CA and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Austin, TX: $2,663 a month against $3,001 in Lompoc, CA, rent and utilities included – about $4,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Lompoc, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,001
/mo nomad
Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,001 in Lompoc, CA versus $2,663 in Austin, TX.

  • Lompoc, CA $3,001
  • Austin, TX $2,663

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,213 in Lompoc, CA versus $4,133 in Austin, TX.

  • Lompoc, CA $4,213
  • Austin, TX $4,133

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,425 in Lompoc, CA versus $5,603 in Austin, TX.

  • Lompoc, CA $5,425
  • Austin, TX $5,603

Living in Lompoc, CA is roughly 13% more expensive than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Lompoc, CA 122% above, Austin, TX 97% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lompoc, CA
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.45 $25.45
$20.77 $20.77
22.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$101 $101
$84.6 $84.6
19.52%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.59 $11.59
$12.32 $12.32
-5.93%
Cappuccino
$5.50 $5.50
$5.63 $5.63
-2.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68 $2.68
$3.72 $3.72
-27.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 $2.03
$2.50 $2.50
-18.80%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.95 $7.95
$8.05 $8.05
-1.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.80 $9.80
$9.01 $9.01
8.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lompoc, CA
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.93 $0.93
$1.12 $1.12
-16.96%
White Bread (500g)
$2.83 $2.83
$3.75 $3.75
-24.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.43 $4.43
$3.26 $3.26
35.89%
Eggs
$4.09 $4.09
$4.17 $4.17
-1.92%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.65 $12.65
$12.90 $12.90
-1.94%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$20.40 $20.40
$14.16 $14.16
44.07%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.09 $14.09
$16.22 $16.22
-13.13%
Apples (1kg)
$5.46 $5.46
$4.33 $4.33
26.10%
Banana (1kg)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.46 $1.46
21.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.27 $4.27
$4.51 $4.51
-5.32%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.34 $6.34
$4.34 $4.34
46.08%
Potato (1kg)
$3.64 $3.64
$2.58 $2.58
41.09%
Onion (1kg)
$3.49 $3.49
$2.35 $2.35
48.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.98 $0.98
$1.78 $1.78
-44.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.20 $2.20
$2.22 $2.22
-0.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.56 $11.56
$9.88 $9.88
17.00%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.72 $14.72
$15.08 $15.08
-2.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 $1.69
$2.92 $2.92
-42.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18 $3.18
$3.46 $3.46
-8.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Lompoc, CA
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$1.49 $1.49
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$41.72 $41.72
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.52 $4.52
$2.73 $2.73
65.57%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.88 $1.88
$1.66 $1.66
13.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.86 $35.86
$35.30 $35.30
1.59%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 $1.30
$0.95 $0.95
36.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.5K $36.5K
$36.0K $36.0K
1.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K $25.2K
$27.1K $27.1K
-6.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lompoc, CA
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$214 $214
$229 $229
-6.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$70.0 $70.0
$59.4 $59.4
17.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.9 $69.9
$69.9 $69.9
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lompoc, CA
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.57 $24.57
$57.2 $57.2
-57.08%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$16.33 $16.33
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.89 $11.89
$14.28 $14.28
-16.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lompoc, CA
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,963 $1,963
$1,506 $1,506
30.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$42.6K $42.6K
$21.5K $21.5K
98.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lompoc, CA
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$73.8 $73.8
$52.8 $52.8
39.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.96 $40.96
$43.82 $43.82
-6.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.3 $81.3
$84.8 $84.8
-4.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$173 $173
$103 $103
68.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lompoc, CA
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,820 $1,820
$1,907 $1,907
-4.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,603 $1,603
$1,274 $1,274
25.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,995 $2,995
$3,664 $3,664
-18.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,220 $2,220
$2,538 $2,538
-12.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$7,614 $7,614
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$3,157 $3,157
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lompoc, CA
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$7,981 $7,981
$5,121 $5,121
55.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.2
6.79
-8.69%

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

Last update for Lompoc, CA: October 10, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Lompoc, CA
$1.6K
Austin, TX
$1.3K 20.5% $329
Groceries & Markets
Lompoc, CA
$433
Austin, TX
$405 6.6% $29
Eating Out
Lompoc, CA
$383
Austin, TX
$354 7.5% $29
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lompoc, CA
$354
Austin, TX
$358 1.2% $4.4
Clothing & Footwear
Lompoc, CA
$166
Austin, TX
$128 23% $38
Sport & Entertainment
Lompoc, CA
$48
Austin, TX
$86 77.5% $37
Getting Around
Lompoc, CA
$14 *
Austin, TX
$59 322% $45

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,820 in Lompoc, CA and $1,907 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Lompoc, CA pays 56% 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: $101 in Lompoc, CA vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $433 vs $405 per month, with Austin, TX cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Lompoc, CA
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🕒 Local time
20:24 8:24 PM
22:24 10:24 PM
2 h ahead of Lompoc, CA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
43,509
974,447
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Lompoc, CA Austin, TX 2,180 km ≈ 3 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Lompoc, CA
  • 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
Lompoc, CA vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lompoc, CA or Austin, TX?
Austin, TX wins on cost – living expenses run 13% lower than in Lompoc, CA. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Austin, TX the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Lompoc, CA or in Austin, TX?
Average pay runs 56% higher in Lompoc, CA, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Lompoc, CA compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,820 in Lompoc, CA versus $1,907 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Lompoc, CA and in Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $1,963 in Lompoc, CA versus $1,506 in Austin, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Lompoc, CA and in Austin, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Austin, TX – a meal for two runs $85.0 versus $101 in Lompoc, CA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Lompoc, CA or in Austin, TX?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Austin, TX is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Lompoc, CA 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 Lompoc, CA compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Lompoc, CA 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 Austin, TX gentler on the wallet – expenses run 13% less than in Lompoc, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Lompoc, CA vs other spots: cost of living compared

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