Located to the southwest of Dallas is Austin, Texas, an eclectic city filled with live music, cultural events, and outdoor adventures. Not only does Austin have a thriving nightlife scene to offer but it also has an excellent public school system and natural environment.
If you are considering a move from Dallas to the nearby city of Austin, then this is the guide for you. We will cover everything from the best neighborhoods to different types of movers.
Keep reading to learn 6 key reasons why you should move from Dallas to Austin!
Moving from Dallas to Austin
To move from Dallas to Austin, the first consideration is where you will be moving to.
If you plan on renting a house or apartment, you will need to reach out to the leasing agency and apply. On the other hand, if you plan on purchasing a property you will likely need to work with a real estate agent and a mortgage broker to help facilitate a purchase.
Whichever you choose is a big factor to keep in mind when moving from Dallas to Austin, as it will which neighborhoods you favor most.
Additional important moving costs to consider include:
- Transportation: When traveling from Dallas to Austin, your two main transportation options are by car or by plane. If you plan on moving your belongings via a rental truck, this will be an added transportation cost as well.
- Shipping or Gas: Depending on how you choose to travel, you will either transport your belongings yourself or have them shipped to your new location. Transporting them yourself via rental truck will accrue extra gas costs, while shipping comes with shipping and delivery fees.
- Cost of Living: Like all cities, Dallas and Austin will have different costs of living. Even different neighborhoods within Austin will have varying costs of living, so make sure to research a neighborhood fully before making any final decisions.
How Far Is Dallas To Austin
The driving distance from Dallas to Austin is roughly 195 miles, which can take between 3 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours to drive.
Both Dallas and Austin have airports — the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Flights can vary in price but typically range between $90 to $250 as of June 2022.
6 Reasons to Move to Austin, Texas
Trying to decide if Austin is the right place for you? Don’t just take our word for it — check out these 6 awesome reasons why moving to Austin is a great idea:
1. Employment Opportunities
Austin is a growing urban area that is flush with employment and career opportunities.
In a recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Austin is ranked third in the entire country for employment growth over the past year. Additionally, the top industries for employment opportunities include:
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
- Educational Services
- Healthcare & Social Assistance
- Accommodation & Food Service
- Retail Trade
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Public Administration
2. Good Schools in Austin, Texas
An analysis of all public school districts in Austin found that the three top districts include:
- Eanes: Found in Greater Austin, the Eanes Independent School District (ISD) is a top-rated district in Travis County. Many consider Eanes to even be one of the best school districts in the entire state of Texas.
- Lake Travis: The Lake Travis ISD is ranked as one of the top districts in all of Austin, located just west of the heart of the city. The Lake Travis Schools system is known for its cutting-edge technology and excellent academic performance.
- Round Rock: Round Rock ISD is just north of the city and known for its great academics and diversity. This school also ranks high for athletics within the state of Texas.
3. Austin Affordability
Since Austin is a growing urban area, your potential cost of living can vary pretty drastically in different neighborhoods around the city. In general, the cost of living in Austin, Texas sits just above the national average, with one of the highest expenses being housing.
According to Payscale, with Austin’s average cost of living and housing costs, the estimated income needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle would be around $54,881.
4. Outdoor Activities Austin
Austin offers an incredible natural environment all around the city, with many lakes, trails, and more to explore just outside the city limits.
Some of the best outdoor activities in Austin include:
- Hiking: Austin has many stunning natural trails including the nearby McKinney Falls State Park. AllTrails lists the top 3 areas with trails as Austin as Barton Creek Greenbelt, Butler Park, and the Nature Preserve at River Place.
- Swimming Holes: Dip into one of the many idyllic swimming holes found in the local greenbelts all around the city. One of the most iconic swimming holes is Barton Springs Pools, a three-acre pool of water fed by underground springs.
- Biking: For fans of cycling, Austin has many great trails for taking a bike out for a spin. Plus, there are several different bike rental companies and stations around the city to grab a bike from if you do not have your own.
There are also a variety of boat rental companies around Austin that offer many different types of experiences, from kayaking to stand-up paddleboarding.
5. Food
Whether it’s barbecue, Tex-Mex, or a seemingly never-ending selection of food trucks, Austin has an enormously tasty restaurant and food scene to entice you with.
Here are 3 food experiences you can’t miss when you move to Austin:
- Olamaie: If it’s the true southern experience you’re after, look no further than Olamaie. This food is not only deeply comforting but rooted in tradition that will help you feel more connected to the true heart of Austin.
- Franklin Barbecue: For a tray full of bbq and sides that will fill you up for the next week, you need to make a stop at Franklin Barbecue. They say it the best themselves — “the best barbecue in the known universe.”
- La Tunita 512: No Austin experience is complete without some delicious birria tacos. La Tunita 512 is a well-known food truck that offers this very meal and more for some of the lowest prices you will find in all of Austin.
6. Austin Music Festivals
Austin is home to many exciting music festivals including the Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival and the iHeartRadio Country Festival.
The 2022 ACL Music Festival is scheduled for October 7th to 9th and 14th to 16th and features major headliners like Paramore, Lil Nas X, SZA, and Kacey Musgraves.
Best Neighborhoods in Austin
When moving to a new city, it is always essential to research the different neighborhoods in that city. Each neighborhood will have its own vibe, meaning you may even want to visit the neighborhoods you are most interested in before moving.
According to Niche — a neighborhood ranking and review site — the top 5 best neighborhoods in the Austin area are:
- Old Enfield: With a great public school system as well as an equally vibrant cultural and nightlife scene, Old Enfield is a great neighborhood in Austin.
- Gateway: Gateway is a more affordable area in Austin, with most of the residents renting their homes in this area. Though on the livelier and more urban side, this neighborhood is also family-friendly with good schools and parks.
- Downtown: For the city lovers, the Downtown neighborhood of Austin is an exciting urban environment with many nearby attractions and restaurants. This area does offer a higher cost of living but in exchange for greater career opportunities and city accessibility.
- Triangle State: Triangle State is a neighborhood known for being a hub for young professionals, with several bars and coffee shops and a slightly higher overall cost of living.
- Hyde Park: Hyde Park offers a greater mix of both young professionals and families, with a great restaurant scene and a good mix of the suburban vs. urban feel.
Types of Movers
Once you have chosen your ideal neighborhood in Austin, it is time to figure out how you plan on getting yourself and all your belongings to your new locations.
Here are the 3 main moving options you have to choose from when moving from Dallas to Austin:
Full-Service Moving Companies
A full-service moving company will handle the majority of the responsibility for moving your belongings, including packing and unpacking furniture and other large items.
These companies will generally charge a base rate for the labor service and then additional fees for distance traveled. Each service will charge differently, but you can generally expect fees for gas consumption as well.
It’s important to know what to look for in a moving company, with key factors to look for including:
- Transparent Pricing: You want to find a moving company that will be upfront about the costs and not try to trick you with hidden fees.
- Good Reviews: The best way to know if a company is good or not is to read the reviews. Feedback from other customers can tell you what is great and what to look out for.
- Insurance: Bonus points to any moving company that offers you insurance for your belongings in the case of an accident or other incident.
To receive a free estimate from Word Of Mouth Movers for your big move from Dallas to Austin click here.
Moving & Storage Containers
Some moving companies may offer shipping containers that you can pack your belongings inside and have shipped directly to your new home.
These types of services tend to be more affordable than rental trucks or moving truck services. In some cases, a moving company may even offer unloading labor services after a shipping container full of your belongings has arrived.
Using Rental Trucks
The third option for moving is to rent a rental truck that you will pack and drive yourself.
While this option lacks the convenience and assistance of a full-service moving company, it can be a much cheaper option depending on how far you are traveling. As Austin is more than 100 miles from Dallas, this may be a good choice if you have a tight moving budget.
Final Thoughts: The Estimated Cost of Moving From Dallas to Austin
So — you’re ready to make the move from Dallas to Austin.
Here is our breakdown of the potential costs for this move based on a comparison of several different services and companies:
- Rental Truck: $300 to $500
- Moving Company: $1500 to $3000
- Shipping Container: $$1100 to $1400
Ultimately, your best choice is to shop around, get some different quotes, and find the service that works best for you and your budget.
We wish you good luck with your move!
