Cost of Living Comparison Between Spartanburg, SC and Austin, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Spartanburg, SC and Austin, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,192 in Spartanburg, SC versus $2,732 in Austin, TX.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,241 in Spartanburg, SC versus $4,139 in Austin, TX.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,290 in Spartanburg, SC versus $5,545 in Austin, TX.

Living in Spartanburg, SC costs roughly 20% less than in Austin, TX, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Spartanburg, SC 65% above, Austin, TX 105% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Spartanburg, SC
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.66 $13.66
$19.47 $19.47
-29.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.2 $55.2
$75.4 $75.4
-26.76%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.85 $9.85
$9.89 $9.89
-0.40%
Cappuccino
$5.11 $5.11
$5.49 $5.49
-6.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 $2.16
$2.69 $2.69
-19.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 $2.16
$2.13 $2.13
1.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.55 $4.55
$5.91 $5.91
-23.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.89 $5.89
$7.87 $7.87
-25.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Spartanburg, SC
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.71 $0.71
$1.15 $1.15
-38.26%
White Bread (500g)
$3.63 $3.63
$3.34 $3.34
8.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.82 $7.82
$3.48 $3.48
124.71%
Eggs
$2.93 $2.93
$4.42 $4.42
-33.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.51 $15.51
$11.79 $11.79
31.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.53 $12.53
$10.65 $10.65
17.65%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$14.80 $14.80
9.59%
Apples (1kg)
$3.64 $3.64
$4.79 $4.79
-24.01%
Banana (1kg)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.57 $1.57
41.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.92 $3.92
$4.37 $4.37
-10.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.13 $3.13
$4.01 $4.01
-21.95%
Potato (1kg)
$2.62 $2.62
$2.71 $2.71
-3.32%
Onion (1kg)
$2.07 $2.07
$2.84 $2.84
-27.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.82 $1.82
$2.03 $2.03
-10.34%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.87 $1.87
$2.25 $2.25
-16.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.18 $8.18
$8.78 $8.78
-6.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.31 $16.31
$15.03 $15.03
8.52%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$2.28 $2.28
-21.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.10 $4.10
$3.47 $3.47
18.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Spartanburg, SC
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.95 $1.95
$1.53 $1.53
27.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$43.99 $43.99
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.44 $3.44
$4.30 $4.30
-20.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.67 $1.67
$1.82 $1.82
-8.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.12 $29.12
$35.23 $35.23
-17.34%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 $0.80
$0.73 $0.73
9.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K $29.8K
$25.9K $25.9K
15.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K $27.3K
$26.5K $26.5K
2.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Spartanburg, SC
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$173 $173
$172 $172
0.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$93.3 $93.3
$58.4 $58.4
59.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.2 $61.2
$66.1 $66.1
-7.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Spartanburg, SC
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$17.58 $17.58
$63.6 $63.6
-72.35%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.15 $10.15
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.92 $11.92
$15.05 $15.05
-20.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Spartanburg, SC
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$950 $950
$1,399 $1,399
-32.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.6K $23.6K
$22.0K $22.0K
7.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Spartanburg, SC
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.75 $41.75
$56.6 $56.6
-26.17%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.66 $35.66
$46.66 $46.66
-23.57%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.5 $83.5
$86.4 $86.4
-3.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$132 $132
$119 $119
11.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Spartanburg, SC
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,330 $1,330
$2,228 $2,228
-40.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,011 $1,011
$1,399 $1,399
-27.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,299 $2,299
$3,821 $3,821
-39.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,717 $1,717
$2,648 $2,648
-35.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,796 $1,796
$7,237 $7,237
-75.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,826 $1,826
$3,127 $3,127
-41.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Spartanburg, SC
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,423 $3,423
$5,009 $5,009
-31.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.27
6.45
12.71%

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

Last update for Spartanburg, SC: July 26, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,330 in Spartanburg, SC and $2,228 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 46% 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: $55.0 in Spartanburg, SC vs $75.0 in Austin, TX. Groceries flip the comparison at $399 vs $378, with Austin, TX cheaper for home cooking.

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
Spartanburg, SC vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Spartanburg, SC or Austin, TX?
Spartanburg, SC wins on cost – living expenses run 25% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Spartanburg, SC the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Spartanburg, SC or in Austin, TX?
On paper, salaries run 46% 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 Spartanburg, SC compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,330 in Spartanburg, SC versus $2,228 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Spartanburg, SC and in Austin, TX?
Childcare runs $950 in Spartanburg, SC versus $1,399 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 Spartanburg, SC and in Austin, TX?
Dining out is cheaper in Spartanburg, SC – a meal for two runs $55.0 versus $75.0 in Austin, TX. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Spartanburg, SC or in Austin, TX?
At $2,192 in Spartanburg, SC versus $2,732 in Austin, TX, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Spartanburg, SC but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Spartanburg, SC the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Spartanburg, SC 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 Spartanburg, SC gentler on the wallet – expenses run 25% less than in Austin, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Spartanburg, SC vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities