Relocation Guide, Austin, TX

Moving to Austin, Texas? Here's everything you need to know.

A no-fluff, locally-written guide to relocating to Austin: cost of living, neighborhoods, schools, taxes, climate, and what most people wish they'd known before the move.

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Austin at a glance

Population
965,000 (metro: 2.4M)
Median home price
$545,000
Median rent
$1,850 / month
Cost of living index
119 (above US average)
Property tax
1.90% effective
Sales tax
8.25%
Summer avg high
97°F (August)
Winter avg low
43°F (January)

Why people move to Austin

Tech hub with Tesla, Oracle, Apple, Meta, and Google presence

No state income tax on your paycheck

Live music, food, and outdoor culture unmatched in Texas

Hill country lakes and greenbelts within city limits

Younger, more progressive vibe than Dallas or Houston

Where to live in Austin

A short guide to the neighborhoods newcomers actually consider.

Downtown / Rainey

High-rises, bars, walkable urban core

South Congress

Iconic, walkable, boutique shops and dining

Tarrytown

Established, tree-lined, lake-adjacent

Westlake

Estate homes, top schools, hill country

East Austin

Creative, up-and-coming, food scene

The Domain

Uptown-style, corporate campuses, retail

Major employers

  • · Tesla
  • · Oracle
  • · Apple
  • · Dell Technologies
  • · Meta
  • · Google
  • · Indeed

Schools

Austin ISD plus top-rated Eanes ISD (Westlake) and Round Rock ISD.

Airports

  • · Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS)

What most newcomers wish they'd known

Traffic is a real issue, I-35 and MoPac clog daily

Housing costs have climbed sharply since 2020

Summers are hot, expect 100°F+ stretches in July and August

Property taxes are among the highest in Texas

Who thrives in Austin

Tech workersCreativesOutdoor enthusiastsRemote workers

Moving to Austin from out of state?

Boxed Movers runs dedicated interstate lanes to Austin from all over the country. Common origins we handle every week:

San Francisco to AustinLos Angeles to AustinSeattle to AustinNew York to AustinChicago to Austin

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