Austin, TX Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Austin, TX: What You Need to Know

Austin, the capital of Texas, enjoys a reputation as America’s premier cool city for its music and film festivals and vibrant cultural life.

Vibrant Local Culture

Art is in the fabric of community life in Austin where music, film, and art festivals are held year-round. People from all over the world attend South by Southwest (SXSW), which celebrates film, music, and interactive technology through film screenings, exhibitions, panel discussions, and networking sessions. In all, the Austin area hosts over 25 film and television festivals. Music is celebrated by local talent and prominent bands from across the music spectrum in events such as Austin City Limits, Urban Music Festival, and Old Settler’s Music Festival. 

A Thriving Job Market

Austin’s highly educated workforce and the state’s business-friendly environment attract many corporations. Almost half (46.6%) of adults in Austin have at least a bachelor's degree, higher than the 32.6% national average. Freescale Semiconductor, Whole Foods, and National Instruments are based in Austin. Companies that employ more than 6,000 people in the area include Apple, Dell Technologies, IBM Corp., and Samsung Austin Semiconductor.

The Cost of Living in Austin

For a city as large as Austin (population: 978,908), it’s quite affordable. Its cost of living and transportation costs are 7.5% and 3.7% lower than the national average. Median gross rent in the city is $1,225; median two-bedroom rent is $1,520. Also, Texas is one of seven states that doesn’t collect any income taxes. However, food cost in Austin is 7.4% higher than the national average. The state’s sales tax rate ranges from 6.25% to 8.25%.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Convenience and access to fine dining and entertainment are but a few of the benefits of living in downtown Austin. North Loop is close to downtown and also to Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park. Its diverse community includes young professionals, college students, and families. 

Those who want to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle will like Round Rock for its affordability, access to outdoor recreation, and it’s within commuting distance. Rollingwood is even closer to Austin. It has a laid-back ambiance, but housing is pricier. Both Round Rock and Rollingwood have above-average schools.

Getting Around Austin

Like most large cities, Austin suffers from traffic congestion. If you want an alternative to driving every day, Capital Metro provides high-capacity transit options: MetroRail, MetroRapid, and its High-Frequency Route Network. It operates a system of more than 1,600 bus stops and 82 routes. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is strategically located close to downtown plus Amtrak trains and intercity buses service the metro area.