Growing, Big-city feel
Scored the same way as the quiz, against 382 U.S. metro areas. A feel is listed when Austin scores 70 or higher out of 100.
Less so: cozy.
How locals describe Austin
The words residents use most, from 93 comments on Reddit, City-Data and Quora. Bigger means more people said it. Tap a word to read what they said.
"Currently paying $1700 + Utilities for a Studio in Central Austin. Roughly 500 sq.ft. Feel like I'm getting ripped off. Live alone."
A walk through Austin
Places residents talk about, in their words. Each photo is of the place named.
Look around Austin
Google Street View near the center of town, taken 2024-03. Drag to turn, click the street to move.
Open in Google MapsEveryday life in Austin
Photos and reviews come from Google Maps and show single places, not the whole area. Reviews are the most relevant ones Google returns for each place. We show the longest highly rated review under 400 characters and, when there is one, the longest low-rated review. Google doesn't verify reviews but removes fake ones when it finds them.
Around Austin
What Austin is known for
Every year
MarSouth by Southwest (SXSW): Film, interactive media, and music festivals conglomerationen.wikipedia.org
JulFourth of July Fireworks and Symphony: Patriotic concert and fireworks over Lady Bird Laketourtexas.com
OctAustin City Limits Music Festival: Major music festival in Austinlonelyplanet.com
Busiest time
March and October: Two biggest music festivals draw large crowdslonelyplanet.com
On a normal week
Swimming or relaxing at Barton Springsen.wikipedia.org
Boating or recreation on Lake Travisen.wikipedia.org
Watching fireworks over Lady Bird Laketourtexas.com
Take a tour of Austin
"Downtown Austin, Texas - 4K Walking Tour" by LOMAS POV, on YouTube. Not made by Varro.
One resident leaving Austin after five years wants to try the best places to eat before departing.
“I want to make sure I try the best places to eat in”
One resident recommends paddling the Colorado River between two nearby parks about 1.5 miles apart.
“A great through-paddle is down the Colorado River between Little Webberville Park and Webberville Park”
One resident took their kids to the Austin zoo over the summer and plans to visit again once it cools down, also mentioning Lady Bird hike.
“took my kids over the summer to the Austin zoo”
One resident lists several bars and breweries as good nightlife spots, including options near Dripping Springs.
“Cidercade. Meanwhile Brewing. Bouldin Acres. The Good Lot. Austin Beerworks”
From 12 resident comments about meeting people and the social scene.
One resident says Green Mesquite is good for live music, location and price, but the barbecue itself is mid at best for Austin.
“Green Mesquite has its place with live music, location, price, but for Austin, the Q is mid at best. Terry Black's will get some hate but it...”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsOne resident recalls classic shows like Monte Montgomery at Saxon Pub, Buddy Guy at ACL Moody Theater, Lionel Richie at COTA, and Kanye.
“Monte Montgomery in Saxon Pub is always a classic. Seeing Buddy Guy at ACL Moody theater was an all time classic. Lionel Richie at COTA. Kanye...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident suggests using Eventbrite, Do512, and Meetup, with better luck in walking, hiking, or new-to-Austin groups.
“Eventbrite, Do512, Meetup have plenty of events to meet people. You might get more out of a walking, hiking group or new to austin type groups.”
Read the full commentAbout 4 months agoOne resident recommends joining a kickball league and checking out film and art clubs to meet people.
“Join a Kickball leaghe through Austin Sports and Social Club. Check out events at Hyperreal Film Club and Highland Art Collective...”
Read the full commentAbout 9 months agoOne resident recommends a sports and social club for adults to socialize through indoor and outdoor sports like flag football.
“Take a look at ASSC (Austin Sports and Social Club). It's an organization for 21yo+ to socialize during indoor & outdoor sports. They offer flag...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident suggested that making friends is fairly easy since most of the population are transplants who are open to hanging out
“Talking to people and saying do you want to hang out. Most of the population are transplants here so it shouldn't be too hard and you'll all...”
Read the full commentAbout 10 months agoOne resident said the Austin dating scene is terrible because so many people are transitory.
“Austin dating scene is terrible. To me, the problem with the Austin dating scene is the transitory nature of so many people here. So many...”
Read the full commentAbout 10 months agoOne resident said Austin is a fairly transient city and noted they spent most of their time there single.
“Austin is a fairly transient city. This is very normal, especially at your age. I spent most of my time in Austin single. It may take What is...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident said apps like Match, Bumble, Tinder and OkCupid worked for them and they met their partner on Match.
“Match, Bumble, Tinder and OkCupid. All had successes on these when I was a single 40 yo dude, met my wife on Match.”
Read the full commentAbout 9 months agoOne resident said they have struggled to get back into dating after trying and failing before.
“I'm a 31 year old straight man and I've been trying to get back into dating after trying and failing to get dates before. I've tried a few different methods...”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident mentioned seeing multiple women post about not knowing where to meet single men for dating or relationships
“I ve seen multiple posts from women in Austin saying they dont know where to meet single men for dating or relationships. I assume one reason is they dont...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident says the bar scene was not for them since their hobbies are more nerdy.
“I've been in Austin for going on 4 years. I tried the bar scene. It's not really for me. Most of my hobbies are kind of nerdy... I like my coworkers, but...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident says Austin has a great nightlife and daytime outdoor scene where it is easy to meet people any day of the week.
“Austin has a great nightlife scene and outdoor daytime places to meet people. You can go out on almost any day of the week and meet people. It...”
Read the full commentAbout a year agoOne resident lists several bars and breweries as good nightlife spots, including options near Dripping Springs.
“Cidercade. Meanwhile Brewing. Bouldin Acres. The Good Lot. Austin Beerworks. Also lots of good places down towards Dripping Springs if you want...”
Read the full commentAbout 5 months agoOne resident noted that Austin's distinct culture only extends about 10 miles outside the city center before it becomes the rest of Texas.
“-There's kind of strict borders with the Austin culture. Go ~10 miles outside the city center and you're in the rest of Texas real fast. A lot...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident warned that traffic and construction are bad due to the city's rapid growth.
“Traffic and construction are bad. Austin is growing like crazy so just be prepared. Texas is a great state, are politics are pretty lose/lose.”
Read the full commentAbout 4 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident noted that Austin has far more nature and park areas within the city compared to the rest of Texas, though major traditional outdoor destinations are still over seven hours away.
“Compared to Texas, Austin has way more nature/ park areas in the city. It's just 7+ hours away from more the big traditional outdoor/nature.”
Read the full commentAbout 3 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident described Austin people as easygoing, open minded, kind, and genuine with a particular vibe.
“They are all the most easy going, most open minded, kindest, most sincere/genuine people I've ever met. They all have a very particular vibe...”
Read the full commentAbout 10 months agoRecent stories from local outlets. Tap a headline to read it.
About 7,125 business locations in the Austin area, employing about 120,877 people. That's about the usual U.S. share.
U.S. Census County Business Patterns, 2023. Counts business locations with paid employees, not job openings.
One resident worries it is getting dire where people cannot afford their rent even with a steady office job
“Seems like its getting dire where people don't know how they will pay their rent. Like imagine having a steady office job with benefits and at...”
Read the full commentAbout 8 months agoOne resident shared that after a promotion to consultant at a corporate company they now earn $75,000 plus depending on sales
“I work for a corporate company as an account manager. I recently got promoted to a consultant position. The pay is $75,000 + depending on my sales,...”
Read the full commentAbout 4 years ago. Things may have changed since.One resident works remote in Austin and is grateful but misses human interaction, sometimes visiting their company's offices
“I work remote in austin. Im grateful for having a remote job but I like the human interaction sometimes. My job has a few offices and ill try to...”
Read the full commentAbout 11 months agoPick a month. A dot means residents talked about that time of year.
One resident recalls a past year when temperatures hit over 100 degrees by May and stayed in triple digits until October.
“But I remember a few years back where it felt like we hit 100°+ by May and didn't drop below triple digits until October. Are we actually...”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsOne resident noted that the bus bike racks were rarely full, only a couple of times.
“639K subscribers in the Austin community. The place for all things Austin, TX ... The bus bike racks were only ever full on a couple of occasions...”
Read the full commentIn the last few monthsOne resident said Austin relies heavily on travel nurses and has poor management, noting the city was traditionally known for the worst medical care in Texas.
“Ascension Health, a doctor. Mainly travel nurses, poor management, etc. Austin traditionally was known for the worst medical care in Texas...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident noted that Austin's distinct culture only extends about 10 miles outside the city center before it becomes the rest of Texas.
“-There's kind of strict borders with the Austin culture. Go ~10 miles outside the city center and you're in the rest of Texas real fast. A lot...”
Read the full commentAbout 2 years agoOne resident warned that traffic and construction are bad due to the city's rapid growth.
“Traffic and construction are bad. Austin is growing like crazy so just be prepared. Texas is a great state, are politics are pretty lose/lose.”
Read the full commentAbout 4 years ago. Things may have changed since.What's nearby
Within 5 miles of the center of the Austin area.
Counts from OpenStreetMap, a volunteer map, so small or new places can be missing. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Biking and trails
Within 5 miles of the center of the Austin area.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Counts depend on how well local volunteers have mapped the area, so treat them as a rough guide.
What rent costs
Of about 381,863 rented homes in the Austin area, 73% rent for under $2,000 a month and 95% for under $3,000.
Census American Community Survey 2019 to 2023 (table B25063). Gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Today's asking rents for open apartments usually run higher.
What moving costs
Average cost: $1,946
From a 2025 survey of 1,000 people who hired movers. This Old House. Your quote depends on your stuff, stairs and the time of year.
The middle rented home in the Austin area rents for $1,500 to $1,999 a month. Before you get the keys, expect about $3,000 to $3,998 for first month plus a deposit, or up to $4,500 to $5,997 where landlords also ask for last month.
Many landlords want your income to be about 3 times the rent. For $1,500 to $1,999, that's a yearly income of about $54,000 to $71,964.
Estimate from Census rent data (2019 to 2023, rent plus tenant-paid utilities). Deposits and fees vary by landlord and state law.
Moving to Texas: before and after
- Forward your mail: USPS change of address. It costs about $1 online to confirm who you are.
- Switch your driver's license and car registration. Each state sets its own deadline, often somewhere between 10 days and a few months after you move. Find the Texas DMV.
- Register to vote at your new address: Texas voter registration.
- Set up power, gas, water and trash. Some cities bill water and trash together, and some ask new customers for a deposit.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, insurance and the IRS (Form 8822 if you're not filing soon).
- Find a doctor and dentist early. New-patient waits can be weeks, even in big cities.
Public schools
8 public school districts in this county, with about 140,955 students in all. Which one serves a home depends on its address.
NCES Common Core of Data 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics. Varro doesn't rate or rank schools. For test results and programs, see each district's site and your state's school report card.
Childcare and colleges
Texas keeps an official list of licensed childcare, with inspection reports and openings in many states. In a lot of towns, infant spots fill up months ahead, so it helps to get on waitlists before you move.
| Age | Daycare center | Home daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant (under 2) | $229/week about $11,900 a year | $206/week about $10,700 a year |
| Toddler (2) | $214/week about $11,100 a year | |
| Preschool (3 to 4) | $209/week about $10,900 a year | $194/week about $10,100 a year |
| School-age | $197/week about $10,200 a year |
For an infant at a center: $229/week here, $174 across TX, $259 across the U.S.. Full-time infant care at a center here costs about 10% of a typical family's income. These are 2022 prices, the newest the government has published by county, and prices have gone up since.
9 colleges in the county and the wider metro around Austin. Prices are yearly tuition and fees for full-time undergrads, before financial aid.
Moving for school? Public colleges charge state residents much less. Most states want you to have lived there about 12 months, for reasons other than school, before you count as a resident for tuition. The rules differ by state, so check with the college's registrar.
IPEDS 2023-24, National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS). Degree-granting public and nonprofit schools with 100+ students. Varro doesn't rank colleges.