Living in Austin, TX
Austin is the 12th-largest city in the US, home to about 1 million people in 2025 and the capital of Texas. It has grown 4.6% since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (98.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 1,002,632+4.6% since 2020
- Median home value
- $555,3005.9 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,729/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $93,658median, per year
- Price level
- 98.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 63° / 97°lows 42° / 75°
- Average commute
- 24 min31% work from home
- State income tax
- Noneon wages
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County: Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 489 ft
Metro area: Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX
Cost of living in Austin
The median home in Austin is worth $555,300 and the median household earns $93,658 a year, so a typical home costs about 5.9 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,729 a month, about 22% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area at 98.1, with housing at 120.4 and goods at 93.8 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $73,500 here. Texas has no state income tax on wages. The average combined state and local sales tax in Texas is 8.2%.
What would my salary be worth in Austin?
Austin weather
Average highs run from 62°F in January to 97°F in July, and January nights average 42°F. It gets 36 inches of rain and melted snow a year, with almost no snow. Expect about 123 days a year at 90°F or hotter. The most comfortable months are February to April and October to December.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Austin
People and work
The median resident is 34.7 years old, and 60% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 43% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 24 minutes; 31% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 34.7163rd youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 60%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 43%of households
- People per sq mile
- 3,072326.4 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 2%3% walk, 0.8% bike
- Unemployment
- 4.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 12%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1994median year
Who moves to Austin, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Houston (Harris County), Dallas (Dallas County) and Los Angeles (Los Angeles County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Houston (Harris County), Dallas (Dallas County) and Fort Worth (Tarrant County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively High
FEMA rating for Travis County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, hail, inland flooding, heat wave.
Home prices
+0.3% in a year
Up 15% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
44% good days
6 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Austin-Round Rock, TX area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Pros and cons of living in Austin
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Texas has no state income tax on wages.
- Data Winters are warm, with January highs around 62°F.
- Data A highly educated city: 60% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.
Cons
- Data Summers are long and hot: about 123 days a year reach 90°F.
Austin report card from locals
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Cities near Austin
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Park, TX | 13 mi | 79,032 | $513,600 | 98.1 | Compare |
| Leander, TX | 18 mi | 91,132 | $506,200 | 98.1 | Compare |
| San Marcos, TX | 22 mi | 77,830 | $310,400 | 98.1 | Compare |
| Georgetown, TX | 22 mi | 106,907 | $429,100 | 98.1 | Compare |
| Round Rock, TX | 25 mi | 141,282 | $418,600 | 98.1 | Compare |
| New Braunfels, TX | 47 mi | 122,492 | $339,400 | 94.7 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Looking at the suburbs? Brushy Creek, Hutto and Leander lead our ranking of the best suburbs of Austin.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Austin with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show no state income tax on wages, 6 comfortable months a year; the trade-offs are 123 days a year at 90°F or hotter. Compare Austin side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Austin?
The Census Bureau estimates Austin had 1,002,632 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 958,151 in April 2020 (+4.6%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Austin?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $73,500 in the Austin area. The median household here earns $93,658.
When is the best time to visit Austin?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, February to April and October to December are the most comfortable months. July averages 97°F and January 62°F for daytime highs.
What county is Austin in?
Most of Austin (92% of its land) is in Travis County. Smaller parts lie in Williamson County and Hays County and Bastrop County. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Austin in?
Austin is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Austin?
About 489 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. Texas does not tax wage income.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Austin. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Austin-Camp Mabry, TX station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.