HavenQuest

Moving to Austin, Texas

Travis County · Major Metro

C
Balanced MarketAffordability 40/100

Austin pulses with live music, tech energy, and outdoor culture that makes it feel like a city that never fully grows up — in the best way. The tradeoff is real: traffic is brutal, costs have climbed fast, and the Austin everyone moved here for is getting harder to afford.

Cost of living in Austin, Texas

Key housing costs for families moving to Austin from out of state.

Avg rent 1BR

$1,300/mo

Avg rent 2BR

$1,600/mo

Median home price

$430,500

Starter home

$306,000

Property tax rate

1.95%

Price per sq ft

$261


Best neighborhoods in Austin — lifestyle scores

Affordability4/10
Schools5/10
Safety5/10
Walkability4/10
Transit4/10
Nightlife10/10
Outdoors9/10
Family Friendly6/10
Remote Work10/10
Low Taxes7/10
Weather6/10
Traffic1/10

Strengths & weaknesses

World-class live music and nightlife scene

Top US tech hub — Apple, Tesla, Oracle, Dell nearby

Lady Bird Lake, Barton Springs, Hill Country access

Worst traffic in Texas — up 9% year over year

Highest rent costs in Texas

Austin ISD schools rated C with 41 underperforming campuses


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Data last updated 05/2026 · How HavenQuest scores cities