Austin has been one of the most talked-about relocation destinations in America for years, and the momentum hasn’t stopped. Home to Tesla, Apple, Oracle, and hundreds of tech startups, Austin offers a rare combination of career opportunity, outdoor lifestyle, live music culture, and significant tax advantages. Here’s your complete guide to making the move.
Why Austin Keeps Growing
The numbers tell the story. Austin gained over 150,000 residents between 2020 and 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the country. Here’s why people keep coming:
- No Texas state income tax, saves the average professional $8,000–$25,000/year vs. California
- Major tech hub, Tesla Gigafactory, Apple Campus 2, Oracle HQ, Dell Technologies, and thousands of startups
- Live music capital of the world, 250+ live music venues, SXSW, ACL Festival
- Outdoor lifestyle, Barton Springs, Lady Bird Lake, Barton Creek Greenbelt, countless hiking and biking trails
- Warmer cost of living compared to coastal metros, though this gap has narrowed since 2020
Austin Neighborhoods by Lifestyle
Downtown / Rainey Street: The city’s entertainment core. Great if you’re young and want to walk to everything. Rent is high and parking is a challenge.
South Congress (SoCo): Austin’s most characterful neighborhood, local boutiques, food trucks, vintage shops, and the iconic Congress Avenue atmosphere. Very walkable, very popular.
East Austin: Rapidly transformed from industrial to hipster over the past decade. Now one of the most sought-after areas for young professionals, with excellent restaurants and coffee shops.
Westlake / Rollingwood: Austin’s most affluent area. Great schools, quiet streets, larger lots. Popular with families relocating from California.
Round Rock: The go-to suburb for families and tech workers. Dell’s headquarters is here, and it connects easily to the Domain (North Austin’s tech corridor). Better value for money than the city core.
Cedar Park & Leander: Rapidly growing northwestern suburbs with new construction, good schools, and MetroRail access to downtown.
Austin Cost of Living in 2026
Austin got more expensive during the pandemic boom, though prices have stabilized somewhat:
- Median home price: ~$525,000 (city); ~$400,000–$450,000 (suburbs)
- Rent 1BR: ~$1,600–$2,200 (city center); ~$1,200–$1,600 (suburbs)
- Rent 2BR: ~$2,000–$2,800 (city center); ~$1,600–$2,200 (suburbs)
- Property taxes: High, 2.1–2.5% of assessed value annually (offset by no income tax)
- Utilities: Electricity runs high in summer (expect $150–$300/month for an apartment due to A/C)
Things to Know Before You Move to Austin
The heat is real. Austin summers (June–September) regularly hit 100°F+. Plan your outdoor activities for early morning or evening, and budget generously for air conditioning.
A car is essential. Austin’s public transit system is improving but still limited. Most residents drive everywhere. Factor parking into your housing budget.
Traffic on I-35 is among the worst in Texas. If you work downtown, look carefully at your commute route before choosing where to live.
The “Keep Austin Weird” culture is shifting. Long-time Austinites will tell you the city has changed significantly. It’s more expensive, more corporate, and more congested than it was a decade ago. That’s the trade-off for the growth.
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Austin?
For a 2-bedroom home:
- From Los Angeles: $5,000–$10,000
- From New York: $4,500–$8,500
- From Chicago: $3,000–$6,500
- From Houston: $1,200–$2,500
AmeriSafe Van Lines regularly moves families and professionals into the Austin metro. We provide written, itemized quotes and can coordinate your move around your closing date or lease start.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin still affordable compared to California?
Yes, though Austin has gotten more expensive since 2020, it's still significantly cheaper than San Francisco or Los Angeles. Median home prices in Austin are around $525,000 vs. $1.2M+ in SF. And Texas has no state income tax, saving California transplants $10,000–$30,000+ per year.
What is traffic like in Austin?
Austin traffic is notoriously bad, particularly on I-35. The city's infrastructure has not kept pace with its population growth. Many residents work from home or adjust their commute hours to avoid peak congestion (7–9am and 4–7pm).
What is the best suburb of Austin to live in?
Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Georgetown are the most popular suburbs, they offer better affordability, good schools, and direct access to the tech corridor (Domain/North Austin). Pflugerville and Leander are also growing rapidly.