Cost of Living in Austin: Expected Expenses Guide

Austin is a lively city and the state capital of Texas, bordering the Hill Country region. It is home to the prestigious University of Texas flagship campus and is known for its diverse live music scene, centred around country, blues, and rock. However, you have to pay for most of the things you can enjoy in Austin because each has its own set of expenses. If you are planning to move to this amazing zone, you have to make a budget for the cost of living in Austin.

Understanding the cost of living in Austin is very important for the people who wish to move there for a job or higher studies to manage the budget accordingly. In the blog below, we have explored the various categories of the cost of living in Austin. Without further delay, let’s begin our discussion in detail.

What is the Cost of Living in Austin?

Around USD 3,400 is the average cost of living in Austin for a single person including rent. It is around 1% more expensive than the national average according to payscale. Austin draws people worldwide for its excellent living standards, attractive salary and high-quality education system with evolved programs.

Before moving to Austin, one should know how much money one can keep with them so that one can live life leisurely in Austin. Here, we have organised the average cost of living in Austin into different categories for the settlers who wish to move here. Please take a look at this:

Also read: Cost of Living in Arizona: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Costs of Accommodation in Austin

When you consider accommodation in Austin, it’s essential to get the right place and suitable accommodation that can fit your budget easily. Renting costs in Austin are a primary amount in the cost of living in Austin. Basically, The rental cost in Austin depends on the location and the type of apartment you choose. 

For your reference, we have provided some data about the average renting cost in Austin below. Please take a look at the average rental prices of apartments located inside and outside the city centre below:

Apartment Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
One-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 2,292
One-bedroom Apartment Outside of Centre	USD 1,539
Three -bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	USD 4,699
Affordable Three -bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	USD 2,679

Cost of a Utility in Austin 

It is also crucial to evaluate the cost of utilities in Austin, along with the cost of living there. Utility costs include electricity, water, gas, and heating. Understanding Austin’s utility costs and bills can help you better plan and manage your expenses. For your convenience, we have given the utility costs in Austin in the table below:

Utility Type	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Cost (Heating, Electricity, Cooling, Water, and Garbage)	USD 173
Internet (60 Mbps+, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly)	USD 66.20
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	USD 61.15

Cost of Grocery in Austin

It is essential to calculate the grocery costs in Austin and knowing how much it will add to the overall cost of living in Austin. Groceries in Austin cover things like fruits, veggies, milk, bread, water and other edible items you need every day. Usually, the cost of all groceries in Austin is less than other living expenses in the country. The following table displays the lists of the average cost of groceries in Austin: 

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Regular Milk, (1 litre)	USD 1.04
500g Fresh White Bread	USD 3.55
1kg white Rice	USD 3.09
A dozen Eggs (regular)	USD 3.41
1kg Apples	USD 5.72
1kg Banana (1kg)	USD 1.56
1kg Oranges (1kg)	USD 4.50
1kg Tomato (1kg)	USD 3.68
1kg Potato (1kg)	USD 2.78
1kg Onion (1kg)	USD 2.74
1 litre bottle of Water	USD 2

Also read: Cost of Living in Helsinki: A Comprehensive Guide

Restaurant Food Costs in Austin

Dining out in Austin plays an essential role in estimating a budget for the cost of living in Austin. Restaurant food costs depend on various factors, such as the type of restaurant, the location, and the cuisine you prefer to dine out in Austin.

Generally, dining out in Austin can be more expensive than cooking at home. To give you a better idea, we have provided the list of the average restaurant food costs in Austin below: 

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal at Lunch in inexpensive restaurant	USD 19
Meal in a Mid-range Restaurant, for 2 person	USD 84
Meal that is equiv. to McDonald’s	USD 10
Cappuccino	USD 5.34

Transportation Costs in Austin

Estimating transportation costs in Austin is essential because they might affect your cost of living in Austin. To move around the city, you can use local transport such as buses, trains, cabs, Colectivos, and Rickshaws.

You’ll need to know the cost of tickets or passes for regular use of public transportation in Austin. Check out the table below for costs related to the local transport system across the Austin region:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Local transport ticket	USD 1.75
Monthly ticket in a local transport	USD 45
Taxi Ride for 1 km tariff	USD 1.71
Taxi 1 hour Waiting for Normal Tariff	USD 35
Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal	USD 0.81

Also read: Cost of Living in China: A Comprehensive Guide on China’s Expenses

Cost of Apparel in Austin

Another crucial part of the cost of living in Austin is the cost of apparel. Multiple factors can decide the cost of apparel in Austin, such as shopping habits, seasonal clothes, and the quality you prefer.  For your reference, we have included the average apparel cost, like jeans, shoes, and summer dresses. Check out the table below to keep an idea about the costs of clothing across Austin region:

Clothes	Approx Cost
Pair of Brand Jeans	USD 62
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store	USD 56
Brand Shoes	USD 98

Average Tuition Fees in Austin

Having an idea about the average tuition fees in Austin’s universities will help students estimate the budget for their higher education at their desired university. However, tuition fees can vary according to the university selection and the specific course preference. 

Understanding tuition fees, along with the costs of living in Austin, is an essential step in planning your education expenses and selecting the best path for your higher education journey. For your reference, in the table below, we have provided a comprehensive overview of the average tuition fees of a few universities in Austin:

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees per year
University of Texas at Austin	USD 41,000
Texas State University	USD 24,500
Southwestern University	USD 50,850
St. Edward’s University	USD 51,400
Huston-Tillotson University	USD 14,700

Things to Know When Moving Austin

Moving to a new country like Austin is an exciting journey for anyone, and it’s essential to consider a few important things, including the average cost of living in Austin. Here are some key points to think about before moving to Austin or any new city so that you can better plan your journey and living expenses in Austin for the significant change:

Weather in Austin 

Austin has a wonderful and moderate climate, with annual average temperatures around 20.4 °C. And the annual rainfall in Austin is around 924 mm.This kind of amazing weather in Austin makes it an amazing place to live. 

Jobs in Austin

Numerous jobs are available in Austin, and various strong networking opportunities help job seekers. The average salary after tax in Austin is around USD 5,486.24, which allows people to manage the cost of living in Austin and live leisurely.

Austin is famous for

Austin is famous for its friendly citizens, who welcome every expat with its motto, “Keep Austin Weird.” Everyone is generally open-minded and welcoming. Concerns about prompt growth may lead to mixed feelings about newcomers.

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FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in Austin. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.