Austin has a great sense of community and is the ideal destination to relocate to for young professionals, students, and families.
Known as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin has a thriving music scene with festivals and concerts of all genres running year-round. The city is also known for many other popular events such as film festivals, vintage car shows, food festivals, and arts events.
Although Texas is a conservative state, Austin is a very liberal city with a great sense of diversity and is welcoming of all people offering a variety of activities, events, and opportunities for all.
If you’re considering moving to Austin or are new to the city and are looking for recommendations and to find out the basics, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll discuss what you need to know about living in Austin, TX, and why it’s one of the best cities in the US to live in.
Cost of Living in Austin
According to Payscale March 2024, the overall cost of living in Austin is just 1% higher than the national average and is considerably more affordable than other popular US cities such as New York and Los Angeles. Housing is 16% above the national average while utilities, groceries, and transportation are from 6-12% lower.
Different Places to Live in Austin
The cost of living in Austin depends on the neighborhood you’re in. Before choosing where you want to live, it’s important to check out the different areas and neighborhoods to see where suits you best.
The suburbs south of the city are prime locations if you’re looking for a family-friendly area such as Barton Hills.
Cedar Park, located in North Austin, is a residential area with the city’s top-rated schools and single-family homes and townhouses.
Located in Travis County, Hyde Park is rated as one of the best places to live in Austin. It’s a popular location for young professionals and liberal residents.
Overall, South of the city is a popular family-friendly neighborhood while East Austin has a more eclectic feel. Those who prefer the hustle and bustle of a city choose to live downtown or nearby.
Austin Weather
Austin’s climate is described as having hot, long summers and short, mild winters. During the peak of summer, temperatures reach the upper 90s and sometimes 100 degrees with lows in the mid-70s. Winter temperatures see highs of 60s and lows in the 40s with January as the coldest month of the year. As a result of the city’s changes in elevation between southeast and northwest, the weather at any one time can be very different across the city. In comparison to Dallas and Houston, Austin is the Texas city with the more moderate climate. However, if you are considering moving to Austin it’s important that you are comfortable in high temperatures for most of the year!
Things to do in Austin
Bars & Nightlife
Austin has a diverse nightlife scene to suit all. From rooftop bars with craft cocktails and quiet, cozy bars to live music venues and nightclubs for dancing, the music capital of the world doesn’t disappoint in terms of nightlife.
Food & Restaurants
Austin is known for its impressive food scene. Tex-Mex and breakfast burritos come to mind when you think of food in Austin and while these are readily available and a must-try for visitors, the city is also known for its food trucks and the variety of dishes available. You can find a range of cuisine types throughout the city, so make sure to explore the variety that’s available.
Activities
The locals in Austin are fit and healthy. You’ll always be able to find plenty of fitness activities to do in Austin from outdoor hikes, cycles, and paddle boarding to gyms, swimming pools, and yoga classes.
With the long and hot summers, the outdoor swimming holes are hot spots in the summer months for cooling off. You’ll find these at Deep Eddy Pool, Texas’ oldest pool, Krause Springs, Barton Creek Greenbelt, and many more around the city.
The variety and amount of music events are some of the highlights about living in Austin. There are endless events throughout the year of all music types including country, reggae, jazz, EDM, and much more.
What’s the Job Market in Austin like?
The tech scene in Austin is quickly growing meaning jobs in the city are also accelerating. With companies like Tesla, Dell, Google, Apple, Facebook, and many more, Austin has one of the best markets for jobs in the country.
TL;DR
Thinking about moving to Austin? With a booming job market, a thriving culture and arts scene, endless activities to enjoy, and one of the best food and music scenes in the country, Austin is a diverse city with a strong sense of community and it’s hard to see why someone shouldn’t move to this city.
What to consider before moving? The area you’re thinking about living in and factoring this into your budget and how much you enjoy the heat to survive the long, hot summers.
Austin is one of the more affordable US cities to live in, and with endless outdoor activities and music events to attend, it’s a great place for people of all ages, young professionals, students, and families to live.
