Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Wichita Falls, TX and Austin, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Wichita Falls, TX: $1,797 a month against $2,607 in Austin, TX, rent and utilities included – about $9,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Wichita Falls, TX, United States
Austin, TX, United States
Wichita Falls, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$1,797
/mo nomad
Austin, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,607
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,797 in Wichita Falls, TX versus $2,607 in Austin, TX.

  • Wichita Falls, TX $1,797
  • Austin, TX $2,607

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,731 in Wichita Falls, TX versus $4,031 in Austin, TX.

  • Wichita Falls, TX $2,731
  • Austin, TX $4,031

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,665 in Wichita Falls, TX versus $5,454 in Austin, TX.

  • Wichita Falls, TX $3,665
  • Austin, TX $5,454

Living in Wichita Falls, TX costs roughly 31% less than in Austin, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Wichita Falls, TX 32% above, Austin, TX 92% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Wichita Falls, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.80 $14.80
$20.35 $20.35
-27.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.5 $59.5
$84.7 $84.7
-29.81%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.18 $11.18
$12.12 $12.12
-7.76%
Cappuccino
$5.62 $5.62
$5.65 $5.65
-0.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19 $3.19
$3.68 $3.68
-13.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44 $2.44
$2.36 $2.36
3.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.08 $5.08
$7.87 $7.87
-35.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.16 $8.16
$8.82 $8.82
-7.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Wichita Falls, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.97 $0.97
$1.14 $1.14
-14.91%
White Bread (500g)
$2.98 $2.98
$3.69 $3.69
-19.24%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.96 $3.96
$3.31 $3.31
19.64%
Eggs
$4.21 $4.21
$4.15 $4.15
1.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.01 $13.01
$12.98 $12.98
0.23%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.73 $8.73
$13.86 $13.86
-37.01%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.85 $10.85
$16.34 $16.34
-33.60%
Apples (1kg)
$4.50 $4.50
$4.69 $4.69
-4.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.30 $1.30
$1.45 $1.45
-10.34%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$5.11 $5.11
-39.53%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.16 $2.16
$4.52 $4.52
-52.21%
Potato (1kg)
$2.22 $2.22
$3.08 $3.08
-27.92%
Onion (1kg)
$3.01 $3.01
$2.38 $2.38
26.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.63 $1.63
$1.80 $1.80
-9.44%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.77 $2.77
$2.22 $2.22
24.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.55 $8.55
$9.97 $9.97
-14.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.98 $8.98
$15.05 $15.05
-40.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08 $1.08
$2.91 $2.91
-62.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52 $1.52
$3.33 $3.33
-54.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Wichita Falls, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.54 $1.54
$1.22 $1.22
26.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$44.78 $44.78
$40.53 $40.53
10.49%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.28 $1.28
$2.78 $2.78
-53.96%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.65 $1.65
-47.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$35.39 $35.39
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 $0.80
$0.95 $0.95
-15.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$34.2K $34.2K
-24.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K $24.9K
$26.8K $26.8K
-6.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wichita Falls, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$248 $248
$223 $223
11.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.5 $50.5
$58.5 $58.5
-13.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.3 $62.3
$71.2 $71.2
-12.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Wichita Falls, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$14.83 $14.83
$53.0 $53.0
-72.04%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.67 $19.67
$16.75 $16.75
17.43%
Cinema Ticket
$8.78 $8.78
$14.06 $14.06
-37.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Wichita Falls, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,651 $2,651
$1,459 $1,459
81.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$21.3K $21.3K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Wichita Falls, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.9 $50.9
$52.5 $52.5
-3.11%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.38 $41.38
$42.75 $42.75
-3.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$64.6 $64.6
$86.4 $86.4
-25.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.2 $98.2
$104 $104
-5.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Wichita Falls, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,048 $1,048
$2,112 $2,112
-50.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$630 $630
$1,230 $1,230
-48.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,401 $1,401
$3,863 $3,863
-63.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,201 $1,201
$2,407 $2,407
-50.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,466 $1,466
$7,426 $7,426
-80.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,411 $1,411
$3,060 $3,060
-53.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Wichita Falls, TX
Austin, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,913 $3,913
$5,179 $5,179
-24.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.44
6.82
-5.57%

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

Last update for Wichita Falls, TX: October 26, 2026

Last update for Austin, TX: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Wichita Falls, TX
$630
Austin, TX
$1.2K 95.3% $601
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wichita Falls, TX
$360
Austin, TX
$353 2.2% $7.8
Groceries & Markets
Wichita Falls, TX
$320
Austin, TX
$410 28.1% $90
Eating Out
Wichita Falls, TX
$284
Austin, TX
$348 22.8% $65
Clothing & Footwear
Wichita Falls, TX
$115
Austin, TX
$128 11.9% $14
Getting Around
Wichita Falls, TX
$57
Austin, TX
$56 0.2% $0.1
Sport & Entertainment
Wichita Falls, TX
$32
Austin, TX
$81 151% $49

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,048 in Wichita Falls, TX and $2,112 in Austin, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Austin, TX pays 32% 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 in Wichita Falls, TX vs $85 in Austin, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $320 vs $410 per month, with Wichita Falls, TX cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Wichita Falls, TX
🇺🇸 Austin, TX
🕒 Local time
11:09 11:09 AM
11:09 11:09 AM
Same time as Wichita Falls, TX
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
102,316
974,447
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.899 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Wichita Falls, TX Austin, TX 410 km
From you
  • Wichita Falls, TX
  • 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
Wichita Falls, TX vs Austin, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Wichita Falls, TX or Austin, TX?
Wichita Falls, TX wins on cost – living expenses run 31% lower than in Austin, TX. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Wichita Falls, TX the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Wichita Falls, TX or in Austin, TX?
On paper, salaries run 24% lower in Wichita Falls, 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 Wichita Falls, TX compared to Austin, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,048 in Wichita Falls, TX versus $2,112 in Austin, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Wichita Falls, TX compared to Austin, TX?
All in, you’ll spend $1,797 per month in Wichita Falls, TX versus $2,607 in Austin, TX – a 45% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Wichita Falls, TX compared to Austin, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Austin, TX runs roughly 9% less than in Wichita Falls, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you’re watching your budget.
Can you live on $2,500/month in Wichita Falls, TX or in Austin, TX?
At $1,797 in Wichita Falls, TX versus $2,607 in Austin, TX, a $2,500 budget is realistic in Wichita Falls, TX but tight or insufficient in Austin, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Wichita Falls, TX the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Should I move to Wichita Falls, TX or to Austin, TX?
It comes down to priorities – Wichita Falls, TX wins on affordability, Austin, TX on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

Wichita Falls, TX vs other spots: cost of living compared

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