Cost of living in Austin, TX
Livability score 70 · cost-of-living index 98.3 (US = 100)
How Austin compares
Where Austin falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Map of Austin
Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps
Cost of living
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 98.3 | metro-area | #128 of 200 |
| Grocery index (US=100) | 92.9 | metro-area | #1 of 200 |
| Big Mac price (est.) | $5.59 | metro-area | #126 of 200 |
| Median household income | $92,939 | metro-area | #21 of 200 |
| Median wage (all occupations) | $49,624 | metro-area | #13 of 200 |
Who lives here
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.9 years | metro-area | #40 of 200 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (25+) | 49.9% | metro-area | #11 of 200 |
| Foreign-born residents | 15.5% | metro-area | #40 of 200 |
| Homes that are owner-occupied | 58.9% | metro-area | #182 of 200 |
Economy
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 4.30% | metro-area | #40 of 200 |
| Population growth (5-yr) | +14.8% | metro-area | #9 of 200 |
Housing — what your money buys
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $428,524 | metro-area | #146 of 200 |
| Home price ÷ income (affordability) | 4.6× | metro-area | #90 of 200 |
| 1-yr home appreciation | -6.0% | metro-area | #198 of 200 |
| Price per square foot | $204 | metro-area | #121 of 200 |
| Typical home size (implied) | 2,100 sqft | ||
| Median rent (monthly) | $1,635 | metro-area | #107 of 200 |
| Homes for sale (inventory) | 14,140 | ||
| Median days on market | 41 | metro-area | #180 of 200 |
Taxes
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total tax burden (est. % of income) | 8.6% | state | #9 of 200 |
| Combined sales tax | 8.20% | state | #116 of 200 |
| State income tax (top rate) | None | ||
| Capital gains tax | None | state | #1 of 200 |
| High earners | No special surtax | ||
| Social Security in retirement | Not taxed — has no state income tax, so Social Security is untaxed along with everything else | ||
| Effective property tax rate | 1.71% | metro-area | #168 of 200 |
| Median property tax paid | $6,688 | metro-area | #194 of 200 |
Health & childcare
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth | 80.1 years | metro-area | #21 of 200 |
| Healthcare (annual, single adult) | $6,800 | state | #93 of 200 |
| Uninsured (share of residents) | 12.8% | metro-area | #161 of 200 |
| Primary care providers per 100k | 71 | metro-area | #121 of 200 |
| Childcare (annual, infant, center) | $9,500 | state | #37 of 200 |
Vehicles & commute
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual registration | $75 | state | #46 of 200 |
| Vehicle property tax (annual) | None | state | #1 of 200 |
| Emissions testing | Required | ||
| Emissions detail | Required in major metro counties (Travis, Harris, Dallas, Tarrant, etc.) | ||
| DMV & license offices | 23 | ||
| Avg commute to work | 27 min | metro-area | #161 of 200 |
| Commute by driving alone | 63.8% | metro-area | #14 of 200 |
| Solo drivers commuting 30+ min | 42.0% | metro-area | #172 of 200 |
Utilities & fuel
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 17.0¢/kWh | state | #90 of 200 |
| Avg monthly electric bill | $153 | state | #90 of 200 |
| Gasoline | $3.00/gal | state | #24 of 200 |
| Natural gas (avg monthly bill) | $52 | state | #23 of 200 |
| Water & sewer (avg monthly bill) | $134 | state | #142 of 200 |
| Home internet (avg monthly bill) | $83 | state | #135 of 200 |
Insurance
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home insurance (annual) | $3,600 | state | #164 of 200 |
| Auto insurance (annual) | $2,100 | state | #126 of 200 |
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main natural hazards | Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, wildfire — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. | ||
| FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk) | 93.9 — Relatively Moderate | metro-area | #134 of 200 |
| Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) | $900 | state | #152 of 200 |
| Earthquake insurance (annual) | $100 | state | #1 of 200 |
Climate & air quality
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) | 52 | metro-area | #151 of 200 |
| Cooling degree-days (AC load) | 3,000 | metro-area | #162 of 200 |
| Homes with air conditioning (state) | 95% | state | #27 of 200 |
| Heating degree-days (heat load) | 1,800 | metro-area | #27 of 200 |
| Days per year ≥ 90°F | 111 | metro-area | #191 of 200 |
| Days per year ≥ 100°F | 16 | metro-area | #188 of 200 |
| Avg summer high (state) | 96°F | metro-area | #181 of 200 |
| Avg winter low | 38°F | metro-area | #46 of 200 |
| Annual precipitation | 36.3" | metro-area | #67 of 200 |
| Annual snowfall | 0.2" | metro-area | #50 of 200 |
| Sunshine (% of possible) | 60% | metro-area | #85 of 200 |
| Plant hardiness zone | 8b | ||
| Frost window | 02-25 → 12-01 |
Safety
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent crime (per 100k, state avg) | 430 | state | #111 of 200 |
| Property crime (per 100k, state avg) | 2,400 | state | #131 of 200 |
Local amenities & recreation
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grocery stores | 107 | metro-area | #86 of 200 |
| Parks | 138 | ||
| Hiking areas | 72 | ||
| Golf courses | 51 | ||
| Shooting ranges | 18 | ||
| Lakes | 35 |
Permits
| Metric | Value | Scope | US rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permit difficulty (1–5) | 2 | state | #1 of 200 |
| Permit detail | Generally easy; rural areas minimal, major cities moderate |
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Top employers in Austin
Major public and private employers in the Austin, TX area.
Salaries by occupation in Austin
Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →
| Occupation | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Financial Managers | $162,490 |
| Marketing Managers | $154,010 |
| Pharmacists | $137,350 |
| Lawyers | $134,570 |
| Human Resources Managers | $132,030 |
| Software Developers | $131,320 |
| Physician Assistants | $126,520 |
| Data Scientists | $111,760 |
| Physical Therapists | $102,720 |
| General & Operations Managers | $102,590 |
| Mechanical Engineers | $102,370 |
| Construction Managers | $99,270 |
| Web Developers | $97,560 |
| Dental Hygienists | $96,740 |
| Registered Nurses | $93,470 |
| Civil Engineers | $93,370 |
| Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $84,210 |
| Accountants & Auditors | $80,210 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $63,110 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters | $60,740 |
| Graphic Designers | $60,660 |
| Electricians | $58,520 |
| Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,660 |
| Welders, Cutters & Solderers | $49,910 |
| Carpenters | $48,600 |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | $47,830 |
| Medical Assistants | $44,880 |
Find a job in Austin
Cities in the Austin area
Austin (958,202) →Round Rock (120,465) →Cedar Park (76,344) →Georgetown (71,788) →San Marcos (67,143) →Pflugerville (64,528) →Leander (62,491) →Kyle (48,484) →Hutto (29,498) →Brushy Creek (22,282) →Lakeway (18,835) →Steiner Ranch (17,879) →Taylor (16,449) →Manor (15,341) →Buda (14,997) →Lockhart (14,463) →Wells Branch (13,941) →Hornsby Bend (11,031) →Elgin (10,043) →
Financing a home in Austin?
See today's mortgage rates →
Home insurance in Austin
Compare home insurance quotes →
Car insurance in Austin
Compare auto insurance quotes →
Ad · affiliate links