Cost of Living in Travis County, Texas
At a Glance
Rent burden measured as median gross rent as a percentage of renter household income (Census ACS B25071)
How Travis County Compares
Median monthly rent comparison
Detailed Housing Stats
Data Story
About Cost of Living in Travis County, Texas
Travis County housing eats 20.6% of income
Travis County's rent-to-income ratio of 20.6% exceeds both the national average (20%) and Texas's state average (18.1%), reflecting Austin's booming real estate market. Despite median household income of $97,169—the highest among these eight counties—renters still spend above-average shares of earnings on housing.
Austin's affordability crisis in numbers
Travis County ranks among Texas's least affordable regions, with a rent-to-income ratio 2.5 percentage points above the state average and median rent running 73% higher than the state norm. The county's $1,669 monthly rent reflects Austin's status as one of Texas's most competitive housing markets.
Dramatically more expensive than all peers
Travis County's $1,669 median rent dwarfs every other county studied—nearly double Tom Green's $1,125 and triple Upton's $689. Its $487,600 median home value is 2.6 times higher than Tom Green's, reflecting the Austin metro's outsized position in Texas real estate.
Austin's dual housing squeeze
Renters pay $1,669 monthly while owners carry a $2,043 mortgage—an unusually high owner cost that exceeds rents by 22%. Even Austin's above-average $97,169 income can't fully offset these elevated housing costs, which together consume over one-fifth of household budgets.
Moving to Austin? Budget accordingly.
Travis County offers high incomes but demands premium housing prices—your rent could easily claim a fifth of gross pay unless you earn substantially above the county median. Weigh Austin's job market and lifestyle appeal against these costs before relocating; significantly lower-cost counties exist elsewhere in Texas.
Affordability Calculator
See how your income compares to housing costs in Travis County
Rent Burden
20.6%
of gross income
Max Housing (28% Rule)
$2,267
per month
Owner Cost Burden
25.2%
of gross income
The median home in Travis County may be a stretch
Median home value is $487,600. Estimated monthly cost: $3,893 vs. your max of $2,267.
Rent Affordability Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
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See Today's RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.