Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Austin vs New York
Austin vs New York cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Austin
πΊπΈ New YorkAustin is 75% cheaper than New York
Living on $5,920 a month in Austin feels like about $11,647 in New York β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$310 vs $478
Per month
$5,920 vs $11,647
Local meal
$ 15 vs $ 20
$15 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 16 vs $ 23
$16 vs $23
At a glance
FoodAustin 27% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksAustin 24% cheaper
TransportAustin 40% cheaper
StayAustin 49% cheaper
FunAustin 16% cheaper
- Where Austin is clearly cheaper: Transit (57%β), Studio rent (month) (56%β), Hotel night (39%β)
Item by item
| Item | Austin | New York | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 15$15 | $ 20$20 | Austin β25% |
| Street food1 item | $ 6.8$6.8 | $ 9$9 | Austin β24% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 38$38 | $ 55$55 | Austin β31% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 6$6 | Austin β17% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6.5$6.5 | $ 9$9 | Austin β28% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 17$17 | $ 23$23 | Austin β26% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Austin β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 6.3$6.3 | Austin β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 16$16 | $ 23$23 | Austin β30% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 14$14 | Austin β21% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.25$1.25 | $ 2.9$2.9 | Austin β57% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 56$56 | $ 68$68 | Austin β18% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 170$170 | $ 280$280 | Austin β39% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,700$1,700 | $ 3,900$3,900 | Austin β56% |
| Laundry | $ 3.5$3.5 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Austin β22% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 23$23 | $ 28$28 | Austin β18% |
| Haircutcut | $ 33$33 | $ 39$39 | Austin β15% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 93$93 | $ 110$110 | Austin β15% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 84$84 | $ 100$100 | Austin β16% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 23$23 | $ 28$28 | Austin β18% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Austin or New York?
Austin is 75% cheaper than New York. Daily budget $310 vs $478; a month $5,920 vs $11,647.
How do monthly costs compare between Austin and New York?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Austin is about $5,920 and New York about $11,647 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.