Austin vs Tulum

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Tulum is roughly 29% more affordable than Austin (index 69 vs 97, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Tulum
More affordable overall
29% cheaper than Austin · Cost index: 69 vs 97

Head-to-Head Stats

97Cost Index69
5,000Median Income /mo736
35Safety Index62
0Income Tax %15
940Internet (Mbps)65
350Coworking /mo250

Price Breakdown

AustinCategoryTulum
$1,750/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
46% ← cheaper
$950/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
$1.1/liter
$14/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
29% ← cheaper
$10/meal
$37/month
Monthly Transit Pass
18% cheaper →
$45/month
$170/month
Utilities (Monthly)
29% ← cheaper
$120/month
$85/visit
Doctor Visit
18% ← cheaper
$70/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Austin

Internet940 Mbps
Coworking$350/mo
Café WiFiexcellent
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability72/100

Tulum

Internet65 Mbps
Coworking$250/mo
Café WiFifair
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability45/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin cheaper than Tulum?

Tulum is cheaper than Austin. Tulum has a cost of living index of 69/100 compared to 97/100 for Austin, making it roughly 29% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Tulum than Austin?

Tulum is approximately 29% cheaper than Austin based on cost index scores (69 vs 97, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Austin could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,134/month in Tulum.

What is the rent comparison between Austin and Tulum?

In Austin, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,750/month. In Tulum, the equivalent is around $950/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Austin or Tulum?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Austin offers 940 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$350/month. Tulum offers 65 Mbps and coworking at ~$250/month. Tulum has a cost advantage of 29%.

What is the average income in Austin vs Tulum?

The median net monthly salary in Austin is approximately $5,000 USD, compared to $736 USD in Tulum.

Explore this comparison interactively

See radar charts, detailed category breakdowns, and compare any two cities in real time.

Free to start · No credit card needed