Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Pocatello, ID and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Pocatello, ID: $1,929 a month against $2,663 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $8,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Pocatello, ID
🇺🇸 United States
$1,929
/mo nomad
Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,663
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,929 in Pocatello, ID versus $2,663 in Austin, TX.

  • Pocatello, ID $1,929
  • Austin, TX $2,663

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,671 in Pocatello, ID versus $4,133 in Austin, TX.

  • Pocatello, ID $2,671
  • Austin, TX $4,133

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,413 in Pocatello, ID versus $5,603 in Austin, TX.

  • Pocatello, ID $3,413
  • Austin, TX $5,603

Living in Pocatello, ID costs roughly 28% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Pocatello, ID 43% above, Austin, TX 97% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pocatello, ID
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.78 $14.78
$20.77 $20.77
-28.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.4 $50.4
$84.6 $84.6
-40.47%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.91 $9.91
$12.32 $12.32
-19.56%
Cappuccino
$5.12 $5.12
$5.63 $5.63
-9.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06 $2.06
$3.72 $3.72
-44.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 $1.65
$2.50 $2.50
-34.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.08 $3.08
$8.05 $8.05
-61.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.87 $4.87
$9.01 $9.01
-45.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pocatello, ID
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.81 $0.81
$1.12 $1.12
-27.68%
White Bread (500g)
$3.21 $3.21
$3.75 $3.75
-14.40%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.04 $4.04
$3.26 $3.26
23.93%
Eggs
$4.22 $4.22
$4.17 $4.17
1.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.77 $8.77
$12.90 $12.90
-32.02%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.02 $12.02
$14.16 $14.16
-15.11%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.93 $16.93
$16.22 $16.22
4.38%
Apples (1kg)
$4.12 $4.12
$4.33 $4.33
-4.85%
Banana (1kg)
$1.31 $1.31
$1.46 $1.46
-10.27%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.71 $3.71
$4.51 $4.51
-17.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.25 $3.25
$4.34 $4.34
-25.12%
Potato (1kg)
$0.57 $0.57
$2.58 $2.58
-77.91%
Onion (1kg)
$2.48 $2.48
$2.35 $2.35
5.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.86 $1.86
$1.78 $1.78
4.49%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.93 $1.93
$2.22 $2.22
-13.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.98 $9.98
$9.88 $9.88
1.01%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.89 $8.89
$15.08 $15.08
-41.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.69 $2.69
$2.92 $2.92
-7.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40 $3.40
$3.46 $3.46
-1.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Pocatello, ID
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)
$2.46 $2.46
$2.73 $2.73
-9.89%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.28 $2.28
$1.66 $1.66
37.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.53 $24.53
$35.30 $35.30
-30.51%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 $0.97
$0.95 $0.95
2.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.3K $37.3K
$36.0K $36.0K
3.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.9K $23.9K
$27.1K $27.1K
-11.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pocatello, ID
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$155 $155
$229 $229
-32.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.83 $48.83
$59.4 $59.4
-17.78%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.2 $72.2
$69.9 $69.9
3.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pocatello, ID
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.68 $37.68
$57.2 $57.2
-34.17%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.25 $15.25
$16.33 $16.33
-6.61%
Cinema Ticket
$12.59 $12.59
$14.28 $14.28
-11.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pocatello, ID
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$481 $481
$1,506 $1,506
-68.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.2K $20.2K
$21.5K $21.5K
-5.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pocatello, ID
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.66 $49.66
$52.8 $52.8
-5.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.39 $46.39
$43.82 $43.82
5.86%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.5 $79.5
$84.8 $84.8
-6.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.3 $71.3
$103 $103
-30.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pocatello, ID
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,095 $1,095
$1,907 $1,907
-42.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$870 $870
$1,274 $1,274
-31.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,694 $1,694
$3,664 $3,664
-53.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,121 $1,121
$2,538 $2,538
-55.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,930 $1,930
$7,614 $7,614
-74.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,985 $1,985
$3,157 $3,157
-37.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pocatello, ID
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,910 $3,910
$5,121 $5,121
-23.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.46
6.79
-4.86%

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

Last update for Pocatello, ID: October 12, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Pocatello, ID
$870
Austin, TX
$1.3K 46.4% $404
Groceries & Markets
Pocatello, ID
$345
Austin, TX
$405 17.2% $59
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pocatello, ID
$276
Austin, TX
$358 29.8% $82
Eating Out
Pocatello, ID
$249
Austin, TX
$354 41.9% $105
Clothing & Footwear
Pocatello, ID
$111
Austin, TX
$128 15.2% $17
Sport & Entertainment
Pocatello, ID
$63
Austin, TX
$86 36.5% $23
Getting Around
Pocatello, ID
$14 *
Austin, TX
$59 324% $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 $1,095 in Pocatello, ID and $1,907 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 31% 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: $50.0 in Pocatello, ID vs $85.0 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $345 vs $405 per month, with Pocatello, ID cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Pocatello, ID
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🕒 Local time
11:49 11:49 AM
12:49 12:49 PM
1 h ahead of Pocatello, ID
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
56,320
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
  • Pocatello, ID Austin, TX 1,910 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Pocatello, ID
  • 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
Pocatello, ID vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Pocatello, ID or Austin, TX?
Pocatello, ID wins on cost – living expenses run 38% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Pocatello, ID the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Pocatello, ID or in Austin, TX?
On paper, salaries run 31% 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 Pocatello, ID compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,095 in Pocatello, ID 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 Pocatello, ID and in Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $481 in Pocatello, ID 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 Pocatello, ID and in Austin, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Pocatello, ID – a meal for two runs $50.0 versus $85.0 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 Pocatello, ID or in Austin, TX?
At $1,929 in Pocatello, ID versus $2,663 in Austin, TX, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Pocatello, ID but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Pocatello, ID the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Pocatello, ID 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 Pocatello, ID gentler on the wallet – expenses run 38% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Pocatello, ID vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?