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Is it better to rent or buy in Austin? Explore median costs, utility estimates, and run the numbers on your own budget to see how far your income goes.
Adjust the sliders to match your scenario. We recommend keeping total housing costs under 40% of your gross income.
Median in area: $1,179
Median in area: $257,671
See how Austin stacks up against neighboring areas.
Based on median housing data, renting is currently more affordable on a monthly basis in Austin. The estimated all-in monthly cost for renting is $1,438, while owning a median-priced home with a 20% down payment is roughly $1,955 per month (a difference of $517).
The average monthly utility cost (electricity and natural gas) for a typical home in Austin is approximately $259. This estimate uses local utility rate schedules combined with median energy consumption profiles.
To comfortably afford the median rent and utilities in Austin without exceeding the recommended 30% housing-to-income threshold, a household should earn a gross salary of approximately $57,520 per year.