Austin at a Glance
Bad news for the locals – the secret’s out. California, New York, heck, anywhere on either coast – these places are too expensive, too crime-ridden, and too crowded. Know where they’re moving instead? Austin.
Austin may be in the middle of Texas, but the city’s always been known as a blue city in a red state. All those creatives from LA and New York are moving in, and they’re taking their creative industries with them. Are they taking their public policies with them? Time will tell. But in the meantime, it means Austin is enjoying its own renaissance.
It’s a growing city, and it’s not too expensive to call home… yet. But even before it was cool, Austin was pretty rad. With lots of nightlife on 6th Street and beyond, the city has plenty to keep you occupied. Plus, nobody complained about shoveling snow. If this sounds good to you, you’re in plenty of good company.
Why Move to Austin?
Lots of people are moving to Austin, and here are some of the reasons they’re throwing around:
- The weather’s pretty good: Granted, it’s Texas, so the summer heat can be killer. But it’s a welcome break to blizzards and snow.
- It’s affordable (for now): The more people moving in, the higher rent is going to be. But Austin’s still not as bad as other major cities in the US.
- It’s less crazy than other cities: Speaking of other major cities – Austin may be weird, but it’s not “let’s let bums attack commuters on the MUNI” weird. Expect less chaos.
- Plenty of room to spread out: Austin is roomy, and there’s lots of room to spread out. The traffic isn’t LA bad, so you can comfortably commute from the suburbs.
- Growing economy: Transplants may be boosting property values, but they’re also bringing in entire industries. Austin’s economy is on the up-and-up, and so’s the job market.
- Live music and nightlife: 6th Street is a great place to spend your Friday night. There’s tons of bars, live bands, and great grub. And speaking of food…
- Barbecue (yes, seriously): Texans are militant about their barbecue scene. If you’re a carnivore, this is a major bonus. And if you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, good news: You can still find great food options thanks to Austin’s blend of cultures and outlooks.
How Much Does it Cost to Move to Austin?
Moving to Austin will cost you between $470 and $13020. Your final price depends on how many miles you’re traveling, and how many pounds (or cubic feet) you’re hauling. Of course, there are a few different methods you can choose for moving day, too:
| Distance | 1 Bedroom | 2 – 3 Bedroom | 4 – 5 Bedroom |
| Local (Less than 100 Miles) | $400 – $800 | $900 – $1900 | $1400 – $4700 |
| 100 miles | $1200 – $1700 | $1400 – $1900 | $1800 – $3600 |
| 250 miles | $1400 – $2100 | $1600 – $3600 | $2100 – $4900 |
| 750 miles | $1600 – $3000 | $2200 – $7000 | $5600 – $8000 |
| 1500 miles | $1800 – $3300 | $2700 – $7500 | $6800 – $9900 |
| 2500 miles+ | $2000 – $3800 | $4000 – $8400 | $13000+ |
Our Most Recommended Long Distance Movers in Austin
Delta Moving System
- Top moving experience
- Fully licensed and insured
Adams Van Lines
- Highly rated
- Available nation wide
Native Van Lines
- Specializes in long-distance
- Top rated and award wining
What Are the Pros and Cons of Moving to Austin?
Pros
- Doesn’t snow very often
- It’s not as crowded as LA or New York
- Plenty to do in the city
- It’s easy to get around (for now)
- It’s affordable (for now)
Cons
- Really hot in the summer
- More and more people are moving in
- Not much going on outside the city
- Traffic is getting worse
- Prices are getting higher
What's the Cost of Living in Austin?
- Median home price: $540,000
- Average rent: $2,200
- Utilities: $172 per month
- Gas: $3.21 per gallon
- Groceries: About $200 a month
Austin isn’t as expensive as other big cities, but it’s still pretty pricey. According to our friends at Zillow, the median home price is about $540,000, and the average rent is $2,200 per month.
It’s nowhere near as bad as San Francisco or New York, but if you’re coming from someplace in Iowa it’ll make your head spin.
As for your other monthly expenses, expect to pay around $172 per month for utilities, and $3.21 per gallon of gas – thankfully a lot cheaper than the national average! Your groceries will sit around $200 a month, but that’s not including all the money you’ll be throwing down for craft beer and barbecue.
Where are the Best Places to Live in Austin?
Austin is more than just 6th Street and barbecue. If you’re looking to move in, here are some of the best neighborhoods in the city.
- Triangle State: Lost of bars and restaurants, a decent spread of parks, and more laid-back than you’re probably used to. This neighborhood is a good spot for younger professionals, perfect for folks who like to keep Austin weird.
- Tarrytown: Tarrytown started off as a quaint suburb, but over about 100 years or so it’s become one of the bougiest spots in Austin. It’s close to downtown, it’s tight-knit, and it’s right on the shores of Lake Austin. Some folks even have boat docks.
- Hyde Park: This is one of Austin’s historic cores. It’s situated just north of downtown, and it’s got plenty of neat architecture, museums, and points of interest. It’s a quiet slice of the city, and it’s great for new families. Check out the moon tower!
- Zilker: Zilker is home to Zilker park, which is a sizeable expanse of greenery and open space. It’s also right up against Lady Bird Lake. If you want regular entertainment (like festivals and get-togethers) living in Zilker is the most convenient option.
- Rosedale: Rosedale is a little newer than some of the other neighborhoods in our list, but not by much. It started up in the 30s and 40s, and since then people have been drawn to Ramsey Park, the great restaurants, and the solid schools.
How’s the Job Market in Austin?
All those transplants need to find work somewhere. Austin has a lot of industry going on, and in fields that may surprise you.
One of the biggest employers in Austin is the city of Austin itself. There are a ton of government jobs, in practically every department in the city. There are also a lot of folks who work in education (the University of Texas at Austin is a major spot for higher-ed). And of course, it’s 2024, so everyone and their brother has a tech scene.
Los Angeles may be the entertainment capital of the world, but the sky-high property values and soft-on-crime fallout has been causing quite the exodus. Where are all the entertainment folks heading? Austin. There’s a growing entertainment scene in Bat City, and you don’t need to pay out the nose to try your luck there, either.
What is Austin Most Known For?
There’s plenty to do in Austin, and once you make it your new hometown, you’ll never be bored:
1. Nightlife
We’ve mentioned 6th Street before, and we’ll mention it again. Austin has great bars, eateries, and everything else that makes Friday night fun. Plus, most of it is condensed in one awesome area. Grab some tacos, grab some beers, and go for it.
2. Live music
Yes, Nashville likes to talk up their live music scene, but Austin is a tough competitor. Y’know all those bars we mentioned? Most of them also offer live music. Nashville may be a little more country, but Austin is more rock n’ roll.
3. Sights worth seeing
Austin is also the state capitol. This means there’s a lot of history for you to check out, including the Texas State Capitol building. There’s also the all-too-famous Congress Avenue Bridge, where all the bats come out at night!
4. Arts and culture
When people think “Texas”, they don’t always think of art and museums. But that’s because they aren’t thinking “Austin”. There’s the Blanton Museum of Art, the LBJ Presidential Library, and more.
5. Lakeside fun
Austin gets pretty hot. Fortunately, there’s watering holes like Barton Springs Pool. (Don’t try swimming in Lady Bird Lake – it’s not allowed.) Plop down in some shade, and swim out the summer in style.
What are the Best Schools and Universities in Austin?
Austin has plenty of options for K-12. Austin ISD (that’s their school district) operates over 130 schools throughout the area. Westlake and Westwood are both pretty highly rated, but if you want to go private, you can send the kids to St. Stephen’s Episcopal School.
As for higher ed, Austin continues to deliver some excellent options. The biggest and most famous is the University of Texas at Austin, which has an undergraduate enrollment of about 42,000 students. There’s also Texas State University with about 33,000 students. Both are great options for undergraduate or postgraduate education.
Austin Awaits!
You’ve made it to the end, and now you’re all fired up about moving to Austin. We get it – we’re pretty excited for you, and we wish we could come along for the ride.
Actually… moving day is a pretty tricky process. You’ll need plenty of planning, preparation, and a moving team you can really trust. Fortunately, we know just the team to help. Take a look at our moving cost calculator to get your personalized quote, and let’s get you on the road!
