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Vancouver vs Austin

Austin runs about 5% cheaper than Vancouver for this household, a difference of 185 USD a month.

Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0
The skyline of Austin, the capital city of Texas. With a population of 961,855, it's the 13th-most populous city in the U.S.
Austin
$3,356/month · United States
Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Austin monthly
$3,356
Index 53 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-5%
Austin relative to Vancouver
Rent gap
$657
Vancouver costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

VancouverAustin
  • Housing
    Housing: Vancouver $2,100, Austin $1,443. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Food
    Food: Vancouver $774, Austin $755. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Transport
    Transport: Vancouver $162, Austin $114. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Vancouver $221, Austin $235. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Vancouver $9.20, Austin $513. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Vancouver $168, Austin $154. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Other
    Other: Vancouver $107, Austin $142. Cheaper in Vancouver.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricVancouverAustin
Cost
Total monthly cost3,541 USD3,356 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5553✓
Housing2,100 USD1,443 USD✓
Utilities221 USD✓235 USD
Food774 USD755 USD✓
Transport162 USD114 USD✓
Healthcare9 USD✓513 USD
Lifestyle168 USD154 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,088 USD6,575 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate26.9%21.1%✓
Left over each month2,547 USD3,219 USD✓
Average local net salary3,300 USD4,700 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD1,443 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre3,700 USD2,623 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre10,500 USD4,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety74/100✓62/100
Healthcare84/100✓78/100
Air quality84/100✓70/100
Public transport70/100✓32/100
Walkability76/100✓45/100
English proficiency96/100100/100✓
Nightlife72/10082/100✓
Family friendliness82/100✓74/100
Median broadband210 Mbps280 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature11°C✓21°C
Summer high23°C✓35°C
Winter low1°C4°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,930 h2,650 h✓
Annual rainfall1190 mm870 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓None nearby
CurrencyCADUSD
Time zoneAmerica/VancouverAmerica/Chicago

Austin runs about 5% cheaper than Vancouver for this household, a difference of 185 USD a month.

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Cost of living in VancouverCost of living in AustinConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Vancouver vs TorontoVancouver vs SeattleVancouver vs Chicago
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Vancouver or Austin cheaper?

Austin runs about 5% cheaper than Vancouver for this household, a difference of 185 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Austin compared with Vancouver?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,088 a month in Vancouver and $6,575 in Austin, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Vancouver or Austin?

Vancouver scores 74/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Austin scores 62 and 78. Vancouver averages 11°C against 21°C in Austin.