Austin Cost of Living 2026
United States · Big city · South — about the US average. Updated September 2026 Not just the exchange rate: how cheap it feels on your own income, and where a price turns into a rip-off.
Austin price table & rip-off thresholds
| Item | Base price | Normal range | Rip-off? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $15$15 | $10.5 – $24 | $28.8+ |
| Street food1 item | $6.8$6.8 | $4.08 – $12.24 | $14.69+ |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $38$38 | $26.6 – $60.8 | $72.96+ |
| Bakery & dessert1 item | $4.5$4.5 | $2.7 – $8.1 | $9.72+ |
| Coffeeone cup | $5$5 | $3 – $8 | $9.6+ |
| Fruit juiceone cup | $6.5$6.5 | $3.9 – $11.7 | $14.04+ |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $5$5 | $3 – $9.5 | $11.4+ |
| Bottled water | $2$2 | $1.4 – $4 | $4.8+ |
| Beerone bottle | $6.5$6.5 | $3.9 – $11.05 | $13.26+ |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $17$17 | $10.2 – $28.9 | $34.68+ |
| Taxi5 km in town | $16$16 | $12.8 – $25.6 | $30.72+ |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $11$11 | $7.7 – $19.8 | $23.76+ |
| Transitone ride | $1.25$1.25 | $1.12 – $1.62 | $1.95+ |
| Scooter rentalper day | $56$56 | $39.2 – $89.6 | $107.52+ |
| Hotel night3-star | $170$170 | $102 – $272 | $326.4+ |
| Laundry | $3.5$3.5 | $2.45 – $5.6 | $6.72+ |
| SIM card1 week data | $23$23 | $16.1 – $39.1 | $46.92+ |
| Haircutcut | $33$33 | $19.8 – $59.4 | $71.28+ |
| Massage1 hour | $93$93 | $65.1 – $148.8 | $178.56+ |
| Half-day tourper person | $84$84 | $58.8 – $134.4 | $161.28+ |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $23$23 | $18.4 – $32.2 | $38.64+ |
Base prices start from public cost-of-living data; once 3+ traveler reports come in, the app blends in what travelers actually paid. Rate $1 per USD, for reference.
Live prices reported in Austin
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FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Austin for a month?
A short-term studio rental (about $3,852) plus food, coffee, transport and a SIM (about $2,068) comes to roughly $5,920 a month. A local long-term lease (studio $1,700) brings it down a lot.
What is a realistic daily budget for Austin?
A mid-range room (about $175 a night) plus three meals, a coffee and two taxi rides is about $310 a day. Hostels and local eateries bring it well under that.
How do I know if a taxi in Austin is overcharging?
For 5 km in the city, expect $12.8 – $25.6. Anything above $30.72 is suspicious. The app's Price Check lets you pick the distance and gives a verdict in seconds.
How much is a coffee or a local meal in Austin?
Coffee about $5 ($5), a local meal about $15 ($15), dinner at a mid-range restaurant about $38.