Cost of Living in Austin
Austin is a rapidly growing tech hub where the cost of living has risen significantly above the national average in recent years. While residents benefit from the lack of state income tax, these savings are often offset by high property taxes and competitive housing market prices.
Overview text is model-generated; see the note below.
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Monthly Cost Estimate
excluding rent
including 1-bedroom rent
Single person in Austin. Totals are the sum of the category ranges below (low ends added together, high ends added together), so a real budget usually falls somewhere in between.
Cost Breakdown by Category
Housing & Rent
$1,650 – $2,400
Monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in or near the city center.
Food & Groceries
$450 – $750
Groceries and a mix of budget and mid-range dining.
Transportation
$200 – $450
Public transit passes, fuel, and occasional rideshares.
Utilities
$180 – $320
Electricity, water, heating, cooling, and high-speed internet.
Healthcare
$350 – $650
Typical out-of-pocket expenses and private health insurance premiums.
Entertainment
$300 – $600
Gym memberships, movies, bars, and Austin's famous live music scene.
Build your own monthly budget
Starts at the midpoint of each estimate for Austin. Type your own amounts to see your total and annual figure. Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere.
Estimate: $1,650 – $2,400
Estimate: $450 – $750
Estimate: $200 – $450
Estimate: $180 – $320
Estimate: $350 – $650
Estimate: $300 – $600
Yearly: $4,150 × 12 = $49,800. Excludes taxes, debt payments, savings, childcare, education, car ownership and one-off costs such as deposits or moving.
New to ranges? Read how to turn these estimates into a personal budget.
Comfortable Living
Estimated monthly spending for a comfortable lifestyle in Austin, with regular dining out and leisure:
Including rent • Single person • Excludes income tax and savings • A separate model estimate, not derived from the category totals above
Frequently Asked Questions about Austin
The first answer is calculated from the figures on this page. The others are model-generated text; answers that quoted older dollar figures are hidden so they cannot contradict the totals above.