Move to Austin
United States · Expat Guide for Tech Workers
Rent (1BR)
$1,700
Rent (2BR)
$2,300
Transport
$41/mo
Expat Community
3/5
🌟 Why Austin?
- ✓ No state income tax with rapidly growing tech sector
- ✓ Live music capital of the world with vibrant culture
- ✓ Lower cost of living than coastal tech hubs
- ✓ Young, entrepreneurial energy with SXSW and startup scene
🏠 Best Neighborhoods
Downtown
Walkable, nightlife, live music on 6th Street
$2,200/mo
East Austin
Trendy, food trucks, breweries, murals
$1,800/mo
Mueller
Planned community, family-friendly, parks
$1,900/mo
Round Rock
Suburban, affordable, near Dell/tech corridor
$1,500/mo
✈ Airport
AUS (Austin-Bergstrom International)
☔ Weather
Hot summers (35C+), mild winters (5-15C). 300 days of sunshine. Spring allergies are intense.
🎓 Schools
Limited but growing
💻 Coworking
Growing (Capital Factory, WeWork, Industrious)
✅ First Week Checklist
- Get a car (public transit is limited outside downtown)
- Open a bank account (no state income tax)
- Explore the food truck scene on South Congress and East Austin
- Sign up for a Barton Springs pool pass
- Check out Capital Factory for tech networking events
🏗 Top Industries
Tech
Semiconductors
Clean Energy
Gaming
💰 Austin Salary Insights
Is your salary competitive in Austin?