Austin Cost of Living – Living Comfortably in the Texas Capital

Anytime is the best time of the year to move here. But, before you make the final step in the process of moving to Austin and throw out a farewell party, take into consideration your monthly budget, daily requirements, and expenses, as well as career goals which could be the reason to move. Then address questions such as: “Is it expensive to live in Austin Texas?”, “Should I find a job before moving to another state?”, “What is the general safety of a neighborhood I like”, or “What salary do you need to live in the so-called Live Music Capital of the World?” Fortunately, you’re in the right place because we’ve got the answers you need.

What You Should Know About Austin Before Moving There

If you are worried about adjusting to a new location and getting relocation depression, know that the capital of the Lone Star State has a little bit of everything for everyone – rich history, delicious Tex-Mex cuisine, excellent museums, famous clubs with live music, and beautiful parks. This is the place where one can always find something that appeals to his or her taste. But, to live comfortably in it, you should know that ATX is the least affordable place in TX, according to some nationwide analyses.

The good news, if you are planning on changing the address know that ATX’s area still ranks among the cheaper large metropolitan cities to live, work, and have fun in.

As the Nation’s Fastest Growing City, Austin, TX, Is Considered a Hot City to Settle Down

When you decided where to move, you picked the right place, this state capital is packed with friendly people, arts, activities, and it also features a booming economy. If you’re planning to join the 150 people who move to this place every single day, you should know why ATX is such a desirable destination to put down roots:

• It’s one of the nation’s top tech-startup scenes, so figuring out how to get a job before you move will be easy
• It can boast an incredibly high quality of life
• It’s an excellent place for young and old alike
• There are so many fun things to do (best nightlife scenes, many festivals, food truck heaven, etc.)

Take Into Consideration the Cost of Living Index

Globally, ATX is a moderately expensive place but has comparably high salaries to offset the overall expenses. According to a recent study, it is the 12th most expensive US place to relocate to, with the cost of living (COL) index of 68.03.

And you might be wondering, what is the COL index? This index allows you to directly compare the expenses of living and working in two or more different places or to see how future destination compares with the national average. You can use either this helpful figure or a calculator – each can lead to a more informed decision regarding the location of your new home.

Compared to other bigger cities, for example, NYC, which has a COL index of 100, Los Angeles with 76.88, or Boston with 84.26 COL index, ATX belongs to the group of places with a middle-ranged COL index.

Accommodation Prices Are a Major Contributor to the Austin Cost of Living

Although ATX is a reasonably expensive place to live in when it comes to housing options, the median home value of about $350,000 is significantly higher than in TX and the entire US. In contrast, the median rent is relatively more affordable – $1,107, according to the data provided by Payscale.com.

And according to Numbeo.com, rent per month for a one-bedroom housing unit in the center is about $1,750 and $1,100 outside of downtown. On the other hand, if you would like to buy an apartment downtown, you need to put aside about $4,100 per square feet, or $2,200 farther from the city’s core areas if you’re relocating to the suburbs. Overall, moving to a smaller home or further to the outskirts seems to be the best solution for those who are house-hunting on a budget, but make sure to check out some moving day tips on how to reduce costs when moving and create a household inventory list on time to avoid common moving mistakes.

Compare Median Home Cost With Other Cities and the US as a Whole

First of all, it’s important to know that the median home costs are somewhat balanced by high salaries – the median house value is about 4.8 times the median household salary of $71,100. Let’s take a closer look at how the expected monthly accommodation expenses in the capital of the Lone Star State compare to the national figure and other places throughout the country. (data from Valuepenguin.com)

Groceries and Utility Expenses

No matter if you are moving during the holidays or in summer there will be some expenses you can’t avoid. Before relocating to ATX, you should get familiar with the basic everyday expenses, including utilities and groceries, so that you can work out a sound and realistic budget. So, let’s see what Numbeo.com statistics data says when it comes to these items:

• Milk, 1 qt: $0.85
• A loaf of fresh white bread: $2.59
• Rice, 2lb: $3.13
• Eggs, 12: $2.47
• Local cheese, 2lb: $10.03
• Chicken fillets, 2lb: $7.33
• Beef round, 2lb: $12.01
• Apples, 2lb: $4.38
• Banana, 2lb: $1.15
• Tomato, 2lb: $4.26
• Potato. 2lb: $2,70
• Water, 1.5l: $1,60
• Bottle of wine, mid-range: $12.00
• Domestic beer, 0.5l: $2.38
• Imported beer, 0.33l: $3.10
• Cigarettes 20 pack, Marlboro: $7.00

On the other hand, your monthly expenses for utilities, which include electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage, and the Internet, will be in the region of $200.

Transportation Is Less Expensive Here Than in Other Texas Cities

Since the capital is a somewhat stretched out area, the vast majority of residents use cars to commute. Thus, you should consider transporting your car across the country, get to know how car shipping works, and hire auto transport services. If your job requires driving or carpooling, you should know that the average gasoline price index is lower than its US counterpart, and is still lower than the average price level in the Lone Star State. Based on Payscale.com, it will take you $2.49 for a gallon of gas.

Central Austin’s Interstate 35 is regarded as one of the most congested roadways in TX, second to Houston’s West Loop. Morning and evening peaks are the worst, with commutes taking more than 50 percent longer than in free-flow traffic. However, compared to some other places in the US, including Houston, transportation prices are significantly lower in ATX. For example, a one-way ticket is $1.25, while a monthly pass is $41.25, based on Numbeo.com data.

How Much Does Public Schooling Costs in TX?

This is one of the best cities in Texas to raise a family when it comes to education. If you are moving with children, you can opt for public or private schools. While public schooling is generally free, some fees include uniforms, books, and equipment purchasing. All in all, if you and your partner are moving together and planing kids in the near future, you choose an excellent spot to settle down in.

Are you interested in the Lone Star State private schools? If so, take a peek at the average private school tuitions:

• Tuition is approximately $9,557 per year
• The elementary school average is $8,033 per year
• The high school average is $10,950 per year

Besides Great School Options, Some Austin Universities Offer Excellent Education at Reasonable Costs

As one of the best cities to raise a family in the US it is also a very student-friendly location, that’s why you can rest assured that your kid will get excellent schooling here no matter the grade they are in. And it doesn’t need to be too expensive. Simply put, you can choose good educational institutions with reasonable tuition fees, such as:

• The University of Phoenix in ATX – tuition fee is $12,700 a year
• National American University – tuition fee is from $5,000 to $20,000 a year
• The University of Texas at ATX – tuition fee is from $5,600 to $41,400 a year
• Huston-Tillotson University – tuition fee is from $10,000 to $22,000 a year
• The Concordia University of TX – tuition fee is from $14,000 to $32,000 a year

What About Entertainment and Leisure Time?

You can just imagine what an extraordinary dining scene a vibrant city like ATX might have. One thing is for sure – you shouldn’t miss trying its best smoked brisket tacos or chicken fried beef ribs in some of the best restaurants in ATX, it’s an universal cure for moving stress. Therefore, it’s not a bad idea to take a glimpse into the restaurant prices:

• A meal in an inexpensive restaurant: $15
• A meal for two people, mid-range restaurant: $50
• McMeal at McDonald’s: $7.67
• Domestic Beer, 0.5l draught: $5
• Imported Beer, 0.33l: $6
• Cappuccino: $4.39
• Coke/Pepsi, 0.33l: $2.08
• Water, 0.33l: $1.48

After tasty bites, some physical activity is always welcome. So, if you can’t imagine your daily routine without a workout, your monthly gym membership will be about $40, while tennis fans will pay approximately $15 for a one-hour session during weekends. If you are a film buff, a cinema ticket is about $12.00, while two tickets to the theater (best available seats), cost about $280, according to Expatistan.com. The advantages of moving alone are numerous and chances are high that you’ll never have a dull moment in ATX.

What Is Considered a Good Median Income When Living in Austin, TX?

Austinites say that if you’re not earning six figures, you should think twice about moving to the Texas capital, especially to some of the best neighborhoods in Austin. In any case, here’s how much you’ll have to earn to live comfortably in Silicon Hills, according to GoBankingRates website data:

• Median income: $63,717
• Income in case you’re a homeowner: $98,007
• Income if you’re a renter: $94,455

So, you’ve already created a moving budget, donated unwanted items, packed your furniture, clothes, and other belongings with the help of packing tips and tricks. If you can’t wait for highly recommended and reliable Austin movers with professional moving services to load the truck and head for Texas’ capital, you may rest assured this place will improve your quality of life. Your chosen mover will also come fully equipped with boxes and packing materials for moving. You can also find the cheapest way to move out of state or the cheapest time of the year to relocate and lower your overall relocation expenses. In case you wish to insure your expensive items, you can make a photo inventory for moving insurance. We hope that our compiled data will help you weigh the pros and cons of moving to ATX since you know what they say: “We must consult our means rather than our wishes.” No matter if you are moving for a relationship or some other reason, take into consideration Austin’s cost of living, start looking at the most suitable option for you, and hit the road.