Austinites enjoy slightly lower living costs than the U.S. average. You may also find more dollars in your pocket upon moving to Austin because Texans don't pay any income tax. The state generates income from taxes on sales, real estate, and corporations instead. That's excellent news for workers, especially when you consider that in 2019, the median household income in Austin was $71,576, compared to $69,560 nationally. The housing market is expensive in Austin, with higher home prices than the rest of the Lone Star state. To give an idea, in February 2022, real estate site Realtor gave the following median home prices. Bear in mind that these prices are subject to change and can fluctuate.
Austin: $580,000, or $326 per square foot
Dallas: $398,000, or $225 per square foot
Houston: $325,000, or $167 per square foot
New York City: $859,000, or $919 per square foot