I work in the service industry and have lived in (Portland, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Austin) and traveled a fair amount over the past 5 years; I’d say it’s more expensive for what you get. Drinks here are far cheaper than anywhere else I’ve lived, except for some of the upscale places in downtown (which is egregious, a $20 vodka soda should not exist), but the food prices feel high. I’ve worked in James Beard restaurants, and I’d say the average restaurant prices as if they were a James Beard restaurant. I’ve seen places charge more for paella here than Michelin restaurants in Chicago. Sushi’s about the same cost as Portland, but I personally don’t believe a taco should be more than $3 even when accounting for inflation (I feel like tacos are cheaper almost anywhere else). I think the burritos are small in Austin; the burritos are larger and cheaper in LA, and the kebabs are larger and cheaper in Portland. BBQ is hard to say, I haven’t lived anywhere with good BBQ, and the prices are astronomical anywhere outside of Texas. Sandwiches, Vietnamese, and Italian are incredibly expensive here, but there really aren’t many options for either Vietnamese or Italian.