Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Austin vs Vancouver
Austin vs Vancouver cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Austin
π¨π¦ VancouverAustin and Vancouver cost about the same
Living on $5,920 a month in Austin feels like about $6,022 in Vancouver β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$310 vs $283
Per month
$5,920 vs $6,022
Local meal
$ 15 vs C$ 20
$15 vs $14.7
Taxi 5 km
$ 16 vs C$ 16
$16 vs $11.8
At a glance
FoodVancouver 6% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksVancouver 13% cheaper
TransportAustin 19% cheaper
Staysimilar
FunVancouver 7% cheaper
- Where Vancouver is clearly cheaper: Taxi (26%β), Coffee (19%β)
- Where Austin is clearly cheaper: Transit (47%β)
Item by item
| Item | Austin | Vancouver | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 15$15 | C$ 20$14.7 | similar |
| Street food1 item | $ 6.8$6.8 | C$ 9$6.62 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 38$38 | C$ 45$33.1 | Vancouver β13% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | Vancouver β19% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 6.5$6.5 | C$ 8$5.88 | Vancouver β10% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 17$17 | C$ 21$15.4 | Vancouver β9% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | C$ 2.5$1.84 | Vancouver β8% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | C$ 6.3$4.63 | Vancouver β7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 16$16 | C$ 16$11.8 | Vancouver β26% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | C$ 16$11.8 | Austin β6% |
| Transitone ride | $ 1.25$1.25 | C$ 3.2$2.35 | Austin β47% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 56$56 | C$ 68$50 | Vancouver β11% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 170$170 | C$ 220$162 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,700$1,700 | C$ 2,500$1,838 | Austin β8% |
| Laundry | $ 3.5$3.5 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | Austin β13% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 23$23 | C$ 34$25 | Austin β8% |
| Haircutcut | $ 33$33 | C$ 39$28.7 | Vancouver β13% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 93$93 | C$ 110$80.9 | Vancouver β13% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 84$84 | C$ 110$80.9 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 23$23 | C$ 30$22.1 | similar |
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 Vancouver?
Austin and Vancouver cost about the same. Daily budget $310 vs $283; a month $5,920 vs $6,022.
How do monthly costs compare between Austin and Vancouver?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Austin is about $5,920 and Vancouver about $6,022 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.