Rent affordability guide · US

Cost of living in Austin: salary and rent guide

Typical 1-bedroom rent in Austin ranges from $1,100 to $3,400/month. To live comfortably here you generally need at least $80,000/year.

Rent distribution in Austin

$1,100

Budget

cheapest 10%

$2,000

Median

most common

$3,400

Premium

top 10%

These figures are for a 1-bedroom apartment equivalent in Austin. Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood.

What salary do you need?

To afford median rent comfortably (25%)$96,000/yr

To afford median rent at 30% (standard)$80,000/yr

To afford budget rent comfortably (25%)$52,800/yr

How locals spend in Austin

Renters in Austin typically spend 22–40% of their gross income on rent.

25th percentile of renters22%

Median renter30%

75th percentile of renters40%

Source: US Census ACS 2022 + Austin Board of Realtors data · 2022–2023

Rental market overview

Austin experienced one of the most dramatic rent cycles of any US city in recent years — a pandemic-era surge that doubled rents between 2020 and 2022, followed by a significant correction as a wave of new apartments delivered in 2023–2024 brought vacancy rates up and rents back down. The market is now more balanced than it was at peak.

Tech industry expansion (Tesla, Apple, Google, Oracle all established major Austin presences), strong in-migration from higher-cost states, and a young demographic profile continue to drive underlying demand, even as new supply has temporarily moderated rents.

Renter tip

East Austin still offers good value relative to the Domain or Downtown, with a walkable, restaurant-dense environment. North Austin near the Domain has plenty of new supply and competitive rents for those who don't mind a car-dependent lifestyle.

Neighbourhood guide

Budget areas

Rundberg / North Lamar1-bed typically $1,100–$1,500/mo

Southeast Austin1-bed typically $1,100–$1,500/mo

Pflugerville (suburb)1-bed typically $1,100–$1,400/mo

Mid-range areas

East Austin (central)1-bed typically $1,500–$2,000/mo

The Domain area1-bed typically $1,600–$2,100/mo

South Congress1-bed typically $1,600–$2,100/mo

Premium areas

Downtown / 2nd Street District1-bed from $2,200/mo

Tarrytown / Clarksville1-bed from $2,000/mo

Barton Hills1-bed from $2,000/mo

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Explore Austin in detail

Can I afford $1,000 rent in Austin?Can I afford $1,500 rent in Austin?Can I afford $2,000 rent in Austin?$50,000 salary in Austin $70,000 salary in Austin

Compare Austin with

Austin vs San Francisco: rent comparison Austin vs Los Angeles: rent comparison Austin vs Chicago: rent comparison

Compare other cities

Cost of living: Barcelona Cost of living: Madrid Cost of living: Paris Cost of living: Berlin

Frequently asked questions

Are Austin rents still high in 2024?

Austin rents peaked in 2022 and have declined meaningfully since — 10–20% off peak in many submarkets as new apartment supply was delivered. However, rents remain above 2020 levels and are still higher than most US metros outside the top coastal cities.

What salary do you need to live in Austin, Texas?

At the 30% rule and a median rent of around $1,600/month (post-correction), you'd need roughly $64,000 gross per year. Austin has no state income tax, which improves take-home pay compared to California or New York.

Is Austin still cheaper than California?

Yes — despite significant rent growth, Austin rents average 30–50% below comparable San Francisco or Los Angeles apartments. Combined with no state income tax, Austin remains a substantially cheaper alternative for tech workers considering a move from the Bay Area.