salaryAustin is the 4th-largest city in Texas that we track, with 979,539 residents. Rent is higher than in 65% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 5.5 years of household income. Most households rent (57%), so there are plenty of rental options. It is a highly educated city: 59.6% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $77,280 a year. That is $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Texas cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of Texas. It is number 326 of 426 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Austin with other big cities
Compare Austin to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Austin?
Share of households by yearly income. 37.6% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Austin
| Size | Austin | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,501 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,625 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,941 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,317 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,537 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Austin overall?
Everyday prices in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro area are 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.1, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Austin
Life in Austin
What jobs pay in Austin
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $153,330 | 15.1% |
| Pharmacist | $151,290 | 15.3% |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | 17.2% |
| Software Developer | $134,120 | 17.3% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,050 | 18.1% |
| Operations Manager | $117,850 | 19.7% |
| Dental Hygienist | $105,480 | 22.0% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $104,590 | 22.2% |
| Civil Engineer | $100,470 | 23.1% |
| Registered Nurse | $97,890 | 23.7% |
| Accountant | $83,120 | 27.9% |
| Police Officer | $82,290 | 28.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,460 | 28.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $64,580 | 35.9% |
| Plumber | $62,810 | 36.9% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,270 | 37.8% |
| HVAC Technician | $60,820 | 38.1% |
| Electrician | $60,390 | 38.4% |
| Firefighter | $58,830 | 39.4% |
| Truck Driver | $57,110 | 40.6% |
| Carpenter | $50,260 | 46.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,820 | 50.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $43,720 | 53.0% |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,550 | 60.1% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,530 | 60.2% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,810 | 63.0% |
| Cashier | $33,940 | 68.3% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,860 | 68.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $27,260 | 85.0% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Austin?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $1,921 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $555,300 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $55,530 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Austin, TX?
Renting in Austin costs a median of about $1,932 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Texas median is $1,451.
How much do I need to make to live in Austin?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $77,280 a year, or $37 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Austin cheap or expensive?
Austin is rated OK: rent takes 23.0% of the typical household income of $101,010. It ranks 326th cheapest of 426 Texas cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Austin?
The median homeowner in Austin pays $8,024 a year in property taxes, about 1.44% of the median home value.
Is Austin more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 2% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Austin?
The median home value in Austin is $555,300, about 5.5 times the typical yearly household income.
979,539 people live in Austin. Numbers are typical (middle) values.