Pros & Cons of Living in Austin, TX

The Austin metro is one of the fastest-growing metros in the country. Even though growth slowed a bit, the population is still rising. Many people are considering moving to the area (this includes my friends!). The area has a diverse economy and a growing tech hub.

If you’re considering moving to the Austin, TX, area, you should consider the major pros and cons of living in this Texan city.

Did you know? Here are a few facts about Austin.

Your bags may be packed, and you’re ready to move to Austin. But, before you call this area your new home, here are a few fun and informational tidbits about this area:

It wasn’t always called Austin. Initially, the city was named Waterloo. The name was eventually changed to honor one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Texas, Stephen F. Austin.

• Austin has one professional sports team, Austin FC, which began playing in 2021.
• Austin is also home to the only Formula One race track in the U.S., where the United States Grand Prix is held
• Austin is known for its music, food truck scene, numerous breweries, and the “Cathedral of Junk”

Pros of Relocating to Austin, TX

While there are so many positive aspects of the Austin, TX metro, here are a few of the top and most crucial highlights:

Abundance of Career Opportunities

Austin, TX, boasts many wonderful things, including a thriving job market. The area has consistently grown in many sectors, including tech, healthcare, and manufacturing. Austin is becoming the tech hub of the Southwest, with Apple and Google offices and many tech start-ups.

Widely known organizations also call Austin, TX home for their headquarters. Corporations such as Dell, Samsung, Whole Foods, and Indeed have HQs in the Austin Area.

Some of Austin’s top employers, employing more than 6,000 people each, include:

• Apple
• IBM Corp.
• St. David’s HealthCare Partnership
• University of Texas at Austin
• Tesla

U.S. News, which ranks Austin as the #9 Best Place to Live in the U.S., rates Austin as having a healthier job market than metros of a similar size. They also report that the median household income is higher in Austin than the national average—more jobs and money.

Photo by @aerialaustin_

Vibrant Cultural Scene

Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World” for a reason—the city has many venues and events catering to diverse musical tastes. From outdoor concert venues to karaoke bars to music festivals, “Bat City” never fails to provide quality entertainment.

Newcomers to ATX should check out classic and notable music venues, including:

• The Continental Club: This retro hotspot, which has been swinging since 1955, features music from rockabilly to jazz to rock
• Stubb’s Bar-B-Q: A local institution, Stubb’s doesn’t just serve up great tunes; it also has delicious, mouth-watering BBQ to go with it
• Broken Spoke: Get your cowboy boots out for a night of two-stepping at the Broken Spoke, which has hosted big names, including Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson

Austin’s not just known for music, though! For history buffs and art lovers, there are a multitude of museums (including the Bullock Texas State History Museum and Mexic-Arte Museum) and galleries.

Experience urban art firsthand in the St. Elmo Arts District. Grab a drink at the Still Austin Whiskey distillery and then tour the area, where many vibrant murals decorate building and structure exteriors.

Photo by @RolandGolang

Comfortable Winter Weather

Moving from a cold, snowy state? Lucky you! Austin’s winter weather is extremely comfortable, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors (no more negative degree weather!).

Throughout the winter months (Dec- Feb), daily highs are in the mid-60s, and daily lows are in the mid-40s. The weather rarely falls below 30 degrees, and the chance of snow is slim to none.

Photo by Austin Trail of Lights

Austin residents celebrate the cooler months, as it’s a break from the high summer temps. And because the winter weather is more tolerable than in other states, you can enjoy the outdoors longer! Some things to do in Austin in winter include:

• Heated patios
• Drive-In Movies
• Ice Skating at Four Seasons
• Trail of Lights at Zilker Park
• Renting kayaks on Lake Bird Lake
• Holiday shopping at the Domain outdoor mall

Dog-Friendly

If you’re relocating to Texas, so is your furry friend! Austin is known to be highly dog-friendly, with numerous dog-acceptable activities throughout the city. There are at least 12 off-leash parks!

Photo by @BlueOwlBrewing

If you’re looking for things to do with Fido, look no further than:

• Off-Leash Parks, such as Red Bud Isle, Barton Springs (where pets can play in the water), and Onion Creek Metropolitan Park’s 106-acre dog park
• Swimming Areas: Check out Barton Springs, where you can also enjoy Barton Springs Pool
• Pooch Welcome Bars: Many Austin breweries allow pups on their patios, but some invite dogs inside to enjoy the A/C, such as Austin Beerworks, Blue Owl Brewing, and Celis Brewery. We recommend always calling ahead to verify that the dog-friendly policy is still in place.

No State Income Tax

If you haven’t heard, Texas is one of nine states with no income tax. The Texas Constitution strictly forbids personal income tax; however, the state collects other sales and uses taxes. So, it’s essential to assess the costs versus the savings.

Friendly Locals

As someone who hails from “The City of Good Neighbors” (aka Buffalo, NY), checking out an area’s friendliness score is crucial for me – as it was for my friends who moved to Austin.

While this pro may be a matter of opinion, many Austin transplants agree that the locals are very friendly, warm, and kind, making new neighbors feel welcome. Austin residents have also been noted to be laid-back and local. Check out the r/Austin sub-Reddit if you’re looking for personal experiences on the friendliness factor.

Cons of Moving to Austin, TX

With the good always come the drawbacks, and like every area, there are a few areas of consideration when moving to this Texan city:

Cost of Living

Unsurprisingly, the cost of living in Austin, TX, has increased. With the area's popularity, Austin has become more expensive over time. The price of homes and rent has skyrocketed over the last ten years. Property taxes are also notably higher here than in other states.

While home prices are not as high as in 2022, the median Austin home price is still higher than before the pandemic. In January 2025, the median sales price for a home within the city of Austin was over half a million at $553,465. Austin residents were dropping over $400K for the median sales price for the metro area as a whole.

If you are relocating from California or a costly northeastern city, such as New York City, the home and rent prices may actually come as a relief.

Extreme Summer Weather

You may not be enthused about Austin’s summer temperatures if you do not like the heat. With an average temperature of over 95 degrees Fahrenheit during July and August, Austin summers are known to be scorching. Expect daily temperatures to rise over 100 degrees, too. 

The average normal highs from May through September might turn off outdoor enthusiasts. Between the high temperatures and the relentless humidity, outdoor activities can be minimal during these months.

Seasonal Allergies

Austin, TX, is known to have some of the worst seasonal allergies in the United States. Cedar, elm, oak, and ragweed are among the highest allergens throughout the year. Peak allergy season runs from December through February, thanks to the notorious mountain cedar tree (an Ashe Juniper).

Bugs and Wildlife

It’s tough to move anywhere and be bug and wildlife-free; however, Austin has its share of creatures that may make you shriek.

• Coyotes: Coyotes typically keep to themselves and actively avoid humans. But they can carry rabies and are not afraid of approaching dogs and other pets.
• Bats: Fun fact - Austin has the world’s largest urban bat colony, hunkering beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. From late March to early Fall, over 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed Bats can be seen swarming the Austin skies around sunset.
• Raccoons: These little critters scurry around neighborhoods and parks and are potential carriers of rabies.
• Insects: Depending on the time of year, Austin residents can spot different insects crawling about. Austin is bustling with numerous insect species, from scorpions in the summer months to wolf, black widow, and brown recluse spiders year-round.

If you frequently walk your dog, love to venture out on walks, or enjoy a brisk run at dawn, consider this.

Photo by Rowing Dock

Water Shortage Concerns

Drought, an increase in population, and aging infrastructure have led to water shortage concerns in Austin. Austin’s water supply relies heavily on the Colorado River. High temperatures and low rainfall can take a toll on the Colorado River Basin and nearby lakes, with Austin residents asking themselves, “Will we have water?”

To ensure that the water supply is not depleted, Austin enforces water restrictions, which impact residential dwellings, commercial properties, schools, and more. Austin homeowners must limit water usage depending on the water restriction stage. One request may be to water lawns on a watering schedule: only one day a week within specific timeframes.

Traffic Congestion

It’s common knowledge that the traffic situation in Austin is terrible. City growth has accelerated, and infrastructure is unable to keep up. Interstate 35 (I-35) can be significantly backed up during rush hour.

Austin does not have many major roads like other cities, so finding an alternative route to avoid traffic is difficult. You may need to be a patient driver if you commute during rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-7 PM). Average highway speeds can drop to 20 MPH.

Self-Storage Near Austin

After you’ve finalized your pro and con list, hopefully, you’ve decided that the positives outweigh any drawbacks. This area is vibrant, booming, and plentiful.

The relocation and moving process can be cumbersome, but self-storage can help make it simpler and more streamlined. Storage Star has multiple Austin self-storage facilities for you to choose from.

There’s self storage near you on East Ben White Road, North FM 620, North Mopac Expressway, and Pond Springs Road. Storage Star has a secure storage solution for you, from drive-up units to climate-controlled storage. Begin your rental online today!