🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,558 in Novi, MI versus $2,659 in Austin, TX.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,828 in Novi, MI versus $4,101 in Austin, TX.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,097 in Novi, MI versus $5,542 in Austin, TX.
🙂Living in Novi, MI costs roughly 4% less than in Austin, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Novi, MI91% above, Austin, TX98% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Novi, MI
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.18$17.18
$19.63$19.63
-12.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.6$88.6
$75.1$75.1
17.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.42$8.42
$9.92$9.92
-15.12%
Cappuccino
$4.12$4.12
$5.67$5.67
-27.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.04$4.04
$2.77$2.77
45.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30$2.30
$2.17$2.17
5.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.33$6.33
$5.84$5.84
8.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.93$3.93
$7.77$7.77
-49.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Novi, MI
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.88$0.88
$1.09$1.09
-19.27%
White Bread(500g)
$3.95$3.95
$3.41$3.41
15.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.90$5.90
$3.43$3.43
72.01%
Eggs
$3.48$3.48
$4.39$4.39
-20.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.58$19.58
$11.95$11.95
63.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.23$14.23
$10.76$10.76
32.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$25.40$25.40
$14.29$14.29
77.75%
Apples(1kg)
$8.13$8.13
$4.84$4.84
67.98%
Banana(1kg)
$2.72$2.72
$1.55$1.55
75.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.62$4.62
$4.46$4.46
3.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.13$5.13
$3.91$3.91
31.20%
Potato(1kg)
$2.32$2.32
$2.74$2.74
-15.33%
Onion(1kg)
$2.71$2.71
$2.74$2.74
-1.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.84$1.84
$2.04$2.04
-9.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.20$2.20
$2.25$2.25
-2.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.07$8.07
$8.93$8.93
-9.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.52$14.52
$14.85$14.85
-2.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86$1.86
$2.35$2.35
-20.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.33$3.33
$3.57$3.57
-6.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Novi, MI
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.98$1.98
$1.47$1.47
34.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$42.98$42.98
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.52$3.52
$4.28$4.28
-17.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.60$1.60
$1.84$1.84
-13.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.29$29.29
$35.54$35.54
-17.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.85$0.85
$0.72$0.72
18.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.4K$29.4K
$25.7K$25.7K
14.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K$25.3K
$26.2K$26.2K
-3.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novi, MI
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$191$191
$174$174
9.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.43$39.43
$60.2$60.2
-34.55%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$94.9$94.9
$66.3$66.3
43.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Novi, MI
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.32$30.32
$62.8$62.8
-51.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$9.83$9.83
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.06$12.06
$15.24$15.24
-20.87%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Novi, MI
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,569$1,569
$1,387$1,387
13.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.9K$17.9K
$22.2K$22.2K
-19.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Novi, MI
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.29$44.29
$56.7$56.7
-21.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.31$39.31
$45.34$45.34
-13.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104$104
$86.5$86.5
19.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.0$85.0
$119$119
-28.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Novi, MI
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,686$1,686
$2,247$2,247
-24.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,228$1,228
$1,430$1,430
-14.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,845$2,845
$3,778$3,778
-24.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,102$2,102
$2,641$2,641
-20.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,658$2,658
$7,044$7,044
-62.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,409$2,409
$3,162$3,162
-23.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Novi, MI
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,281$6,281
$5,108$5,108
22.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.63
6.45
2.79%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Novi, MI: June 1, 2026
Last update for Austin, TX: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,686 in Novi, MI and $2,247 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Novi, MI pays 23% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $89.0 in Novi, MI vs $75.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $484 vs $377 per month, with Austin, TX cheaper across the board.
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
Novi, MI vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Novi, MI or Austin, TX?
Novi, MI 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 Novi, MI the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Novi, MI or Austin, TX?
Novi, MI pays 23% more on average, 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 Novi, MI vs Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,686 in Novi, MI versus $2,247 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Novi, MI and Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $1,569 in Novi, MI versus $1,387 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 Novi, MI vs Austin, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Novi, MI – a meal for two runs $89.0 versus $75.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Novi, MI or Austin, TX?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Novi, MI 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: Novi, MI 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 Novi, MI compared to Austin, TX?
Safety-wise, Novi, MI 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 Novi, MI 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.