Cost of Living Comparison Between Parkersburg, WV and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Parkersburg, WV and Austin, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,786 in Parkersburg, WV versus $2,659 in Austin, TX.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,442 in Parkersburg, WV versus $4,101 in Austin, TX.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,098 in Parkersburg, WV versus $5,542 in Austin, TX.

Living in Parkersburg, WV costs roughly 33% less than in Austin, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Parkersburg, WV 33% above, Austin, TX 98% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Parkersburg, WV
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.76 $16.76
$19.63 $19.63
-14.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.6 $58.6
$75.1 $75.1
-22.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.43 $9.43
$9.92 $9.92
-4.94%
Cappuccino
$4.23 $4.23
$5.67 $5.67
-25.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31 $2.31
$2.77 $2.77
-16.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.17 $2.17
-21.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.83 $2.83
$5.84 $5.84
-51.54%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.47 $4.47
$7.77 $7.77
-42.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Parkersburg, WV
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.76 $0.76
$1.09 $1.09
-30.28%
White Bread (500g)
$2.47 $2.47
$3.41 $3.41
-27.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.63 $3.63
$3.43 $3.43
5.83%
Eggs
$1.79 $1.79
$4.39 $4.39
-59.23%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.89 $10.89
$11.95 $11.95
-8.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.89 $5.89
$10.76 $10.76
-45.26%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.73 $8.73
$14.29 $14.29
-38.91%
Apples (1kg)
$4.44 $4.44
$4.84 $4.84
-8.26%
Banana (1kg)
$1.27 $1.27
$1.55 $1.55
-18.06%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.83 $2.83
$4.46 $4.46
-36.55%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.28 $4.28
$3.91 $3.91
9.46%
Potato (1kg)
$1.66 $1.66
$2.74 $2.74
-39.42%
Onion (1kg)
$2.88 $2.88
$2.74 $2.74
5.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.73 $1.73
$2.04 $2.04
-15.20%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 $1.69
$2.25 $2.25
-24.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.64 $6.64
$8.93 $8.93
-25.64%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.08 $19.08
$14.85 $14.85
28.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$2.35 $2.35
-25.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 $1.84
$3.57 $3.57
-48.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Parkersburg, WV
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.47 $1.47
-31.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$42.98 $42.98
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.51 $3.51
$4.28 $4.28
-17.99%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.58 $1.58
$1.84 $1.84
-14.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.70 $29.70
$35.54 $35.54
-16.43%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$0.72 $0.72
22.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.6K $29.6K
$25.7K $25.7K
15.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K $26.0K
$26.2K $26.2K
-0.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Parkersburg, WV
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$207 $207
$174 $174
19.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.85 $44.85
$60.2 $60.2
-25.55%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.3 $62.3
$66.3 $66.3
-5.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Parkersburg, WV
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.79 $42.79
$62.8 $62.8
-31.81%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$9.83 $9.83
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.18 $13.18
$15.24 $15.24
-13.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Parkersburg, WV
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$557 $557
$1,387 $1,387
-59.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,977 $4,977
$22.2K $22.2K
-77.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Parkersburg, WV
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.59 $45.59
$56.7 $56.7
-19.64%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.0 $52.0
$45.34 $45.34
14.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.5 $73.5
$86.5 $86.5
-14.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 $106
$119 $119
-11.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Parkersburg, WV
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$840 $840
$2,247 $2,247
-62.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$705 $705
$1,430 $1,430
-50.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,419 $1,419
$3,778 $3,778
-62.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$907 $907
$2,641 $2,641
-65.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,183 $1,183
$7,044 $7,044
-83.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,209 $1,209
$3,162 $3,162
-61.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Parkersburg, WV
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,749 $1,749
$5,108 $5,108
-65.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.54
6.45
1.40%

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

Last update for Parkersburg, WV: May 30, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $840 in Parkersburg, WV and $2,247 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 192% 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: $59.0 in Parkersburg, WV vs $75.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $294 vs $377 per month, with Parkersburg, WV 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
Parkersburg, WV vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Parkersburg, WV or Austin, TX?
Parkersburg, WV wins on cost – living expenses run 49% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Parkersburg, WV the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Parkersburg, WV or Austin, TX?
On paper, Austin, TX earns 192% less. 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 Parkersburg, WV vs Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $840 in Parkersburg, WV 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 Parkersburg, WV and Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $557 in Parkersburg, WV 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 Parkersburg, WV vs Austin, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Parkersburg, WV – a meal for two runs $59.0 versus $75.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Parkersburg, WV or Austin, TX?
At $1,786 in Parkersburg, WV versus $2,659 in Austin, TX, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Parkersburg, WV but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Parkersburg, WV the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Parkersburg, WV 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Parkersburg, WV gentler on the wallet – expenses run 49% 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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