Austin pulls in a lot of people for the same two reasons: tech jobs and no state income tax. Both are real. What newcomers don’t always hear about is the heat, how spread out the city is, and how much rent has climbed in the neighborhoods everyone wants.
Picking a part of town
- East Austin: walkable streets, food trucks and live music; rents have risen fast
- North Austin and the Domain: close to many tech offices, newer apartment complexes
- South Congress and Zilker: central, lively, expensive; close to Barton Springs
- Mueller: planned neighborhood with parks, popular with families
- Round Rock and Pflugerville: suburbs with more space for the money
Start with where you’ll work. Austin traffic on I-35 and MoPac at rush hour can turn a 15-minute drive into 45.
How “no income tax” works in practice
You won’t see state income tax on your paycheck. Texas makes up for it with property taxes, which are among the highest in the country, and a sales tax of 8.25% in Austin. Renters don’t pay property tax directly, but landlords build it into rent.
The car question
Most Austinites drive. CapMetro runs buses and one commuter rail line, and there are good bike routes in the center, but groceries, offices and doctors are usually a drive away. If you’re buying a car, get insurance quotes first. Rates for drivers with no US history can be high.
Texas license: New residents generally have 90 days to switch to a Texas driver’s license. Book a DPS appointment early; slots fill up weeks ahead.
Surviving the summer
From June through September, afternoons above 95°F are normal and 100°F days are common. Locals shift outdoor plans to early morning or evening, swim at Barton Springs or Deep Eddy, and keep water in the car. When you tour apartments, ask how old the AC unit is and what summer electric bills usually run.
What people love about it
Live music most nights of the week, a big food scene, lakes and swimming holes close to town, and a relaxed dress code at most offices. Newcomers often say Austin is easy to make friends in, especially through outdoor groups and sports leagues.
