Austin’s
a great city to enjoy live music, culinary delights, and the great outdoors. However, you’ll have to take that in stride with rising housing costs and congested traffic.As the capital of Texas
—and live music—Austin is best known for its explosive population boom, its quirky creatives, and a strong job market. While it might not be home to any professional sports team, Austin is home to a nude beach, an urban bat colony, and fantastic breakfast tacos. Thinking of becoming an Austinite yourself? Jerry
, the licensed insurance broker
that helps you find great rates on car
, home
, and renters insurance
is here to give you the rundown of what you should know before moving to the so-called Silicon Hills. What you need to know about Austin before you move
Austin sprawls more than 271 miles and is home to nearly one million people—and counting. So, what could you expect your new normal to look like as an Austinite? Read on to find out.
RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
1. You might pay more for living expenses
Depending on where you’re moving from, you might need to prepare yourself for the increase in living costs that will come with relocating. If you’re moving from New York, San Francisco, or Washington D.C., however, you might be pleasantly surprised to find everyday expenses are lower than you might be used to.
Austin's overall cost of living index is 119.3, which makes it 19.3% more expensive than the national average.
The most expensive part of living in Austin is likely going to be picking the place you call home. Austin’s rental costs have taken a big jump recently, and the overall housing cost index is a whopping 159.6. When it comes to rentals, the average one-bedroom apartment in Austin will cost anywhere between $2,200 and $2,900 per month. T
That said, grocery runs may cost you a little less in Austin. The city’s cost of living index for groceries specifically is 96.7, making it a little cheaper than the national average. Utilities tend to cost less than the national average, too.
Census data shows the median household income in Austin is about $75,000. The current minimum wage in Austin is $15 per hour. For city employees, that’s soon going to rise to $22 per hour.
2. The job market’s pretty solid (and not just for tech)
Austin’s consistently ranked as one of the best job markets for a city of its size—and it’s not only due to the recent tech takeover. Austin frequently makes national lists for being one of the best places to retire, and it’s also considered one of the best cities for remote workers.
A number of Fortune 500 companies have headquarters or offices in Austin, including 3M, Apple, Google, Tesla
, IBM, and more. In addition to technology sectors, you’ll also find plenty of opportunities in life sciences, healthcare, education, insurance, and financial services.
MORE: Haunted Texas road trip
3. It’s a great place to get outdoors
A move to Austin is worth considering if you’re someone who likes to be on the move.
Austin’s mild to moderate climate means there’s plenty to do outdoors year-round, and you won’t have to worry about shoveling snow from your driveway. That said, summer temperatures can be brutal—especially when you add humidity into the mix—with highs extending into the upper 90s and beyond.
Enjoy hiking and biking along the city’s greenbelts
, or escape from the city for a day to nearby wonders like McKinney Falls State Park
. You can cool off in summer’s heat at area swimming holes like Barton Springs and Deep Eddy, or you could take to the river on a rented kayak. You can even bat-watch
from the Congress Avenue Bridge! 4. It’s got rhythm
If you love live music, you’re probably going to love Austin.
Nicknamed the “Live Music Capital of the World,” on any given night, Austin has hundreds of music venues hosting live music performances across a diverse mix of genres, from jazz to country to punk to hip-hop to blues to—okay, you get the idea.
5. The traffic could be better… a lot better
Okay, so maybe it’s not as bad as Los Angeles
, but Austin traffic can still be a drag. Along with the city’s explosive growth over the last several years has also come more congested roadways. Getting around Austin is easier with a car: Austin’s urban sprawl means relying on walking or biking alone isn’t always possible, depending on where you’re going. Austin does have public transit options
, but sometimes, getting around with your own car is still the most ideal option. MORE: Everything you need to know about driving in Austin
6. Austin is a foodie’s heaven
Especially if you love BBQ. Oh, and food trucks! It’s not just these, though. Austin has a rich, diverse culinary scene that makes it one of the best food destinations in the United States.
Whether you’re looking for vegan options, sushi, seafood, ramen, tacos, samosas, or something experimental and obscure, you’ll likely find it in Austin.
And if you’re feeling a little indecisive, take a walking tour through any of the food truck parks peppered throughout Austin’s neighborhoods.
7. State income taxes? Not a thing.
One perk that comes with living in Austin is that, as a Texan, you don’t have to worry about paying state income taxes.
You’ll still be on the hook for federal income taxes, but if you’re moving from out of state, you’ll likely enjoy that bit of extra take-home pay.
Does Austin live up to its stereotypes?
It can be hard to define a city that’s ever-changing. The congested traffic and rising housing costs can be a challenge, but that said, if you’re an outdoors enthusiast who’s passionate about food, a fan of mild winters, and loves live music, Austin’s definitely a city worth considering.
Key Takeaway Austin’s a great city to enjoy live music, culinary delights, and the great outdoors. However, you’ll have to take that in stride with rising housing costs and congested traffic.
Finding a place to live in Austin
Thanks to Austin’s booming population growth, it could be difficult to find a place to live in Austin—and that goes for both buyers and renters.
From 2021 to 2022, Austin’s average rent increased by more than 30%, and like many large cities at the moment, you might have to compete with other renters to secure a lease for an apartment.
Home sale prices are on the rise, too. As of April 2022, while home sales slowed a bit, the median home price in Austin was $640,000—that’s up from $550,000 in January and makes for a 16.3% increase over the last year, according to the Austin Board of Realtors
. So, how do you find a place in Austin that’ll work for you? A good starting point is to establish a budget to figure out what kind of housing you can afford and go from there. Then, you can evaluate what neighborhoods have rent or home sale costs that fall within that range.
To further narrow down your options, consider what amenities each neighborhood on your list offers, and zero in on the ones that are most appealing to you.
As you’re evaluating your options, here are some Austin neighborhoods worth considering:
Most iconic neighborhoods: Downtown, East Austin, North Loop
Best neighborhoods if you’ve got kids: Old Enfield, Allandale, Rosedale
Best neighborhoods for foodies: Downtown, East, North/South Lamar
Best neighborhoods to buy a house: West Oak Hill, Allandale, Chestnut
Most affordable neighborhoods: Franklin Park, Southeast, South Manchaca
If you can, it’s also a good idea to spend some time in different Austin neighborhoods before your move to get a sense of each one’s atmosphere to help you decide whether it’ll be a good fit for you.
Pro Tip If you’re on a tight budget but determined to make the move to Austin, consider finding roommates or living just outside Austin to make your living expenses more affordable.
MORE: Complete checklist for moving out of state
Moving to Austin checklist
So, you’re set on moving to Austin, you’ve found a place to call home, and now, it’s time to pack up your belongings and get your move underway. As you do so, here are some tips to help you make your transition smoother:
Before you go
As you’re preparing for your big move, be sure to add these items to your moving to-do list:
Book a reliable moving company to safely move your belongings to your next home. Not sure where to start? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration offers helpful tips
that can help you avoid moving scams If you’re taking care of your move solo, be sure to reserve a U-Haul
For long-distance moves, you might want to consider whether you want to ship your car
Inform all the necessary contacts that you’re moving—that includes your landlord, your employer, insurance provider(s), and utility provider(s)
Update your address and set up mail forwarding with the USPS
so you don’t miss any important communications Make sure your new renters or homeowners insurance policy
will be all set once you’ve moved in Road trip time! Once you’re all packed up, it’s time to make the journey to the next place you’ll call home
After you get there
So you’ve unpacked that last box and you’ve started to settle into your new apartment. Now there are just a few more things you need to take care of:
If you’ve moved to Austin from out of state, plan to update your insurance and register your car in Texas
Get to know Austin! Start exploring your neighborhood and meeting new people when you’re ready. Prepare to enjoy plenty of good food and live music!
MORE: How to bundle home and auto insurance to save money
How to save on car, renters, and home insurance in Austin
Relocating to Austin could be the best move you ever make, but it can also be initially expensive. If you’re looking for ways to cut down on your monthly expenses, it might be worth taking a look at your car
, renters
, or home insurance
policies. With the Jerry
app, finding the right coverage at the right price is easier than ever. Jerry can even help you bundle
multiple policies for additional savings on each one! All you have to do is download the app, answer a few questions, and Jerry takes care of the rest.
We’ll perform a comprehensive cross-analysis of policies from the nation’s top insurance providers to make sure you have a policy that suits your needs and falls within your budget. Choose the policy you like, then we’ll do the hard work for you—that means handling all phone calls, paperwork, and renewals.
No wonder Jerry’s the top-rated insurance app!
“Jerry
was wonderful! I used it for my auto and renters policies. I trusted it so much that I signed up my homeowners insurance under Jerry as well. All of the agents are amazingly nice and knowledgeable.” —Mary Y.
4.7
