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
National Ranking
Affordability Rank
Travis County ranks #2,703 of 3,144 counties for affordability (bottom 14%)
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.
Cost of Living Advisory: Travis County
Affordability Verdict
Housing in Travis County is affordable. The median rent is $1,669/month against a median household income of $97,169, putting rent at 20.6% of income.
Rent vs. Own
The median rent in Travis County is $1,669/month, while owner costs run $2,043/month. Renting saves approximately $374/month.
Income Needed
To afford the median rent without exceeding 30% of gross income, a household needs to earn approximately $66,760/year. For owner costs at the 28% rule, the required income is roughly $87,557/year. With a median household income of $97,169, most households can comfortably afford rent here. Notably, 29.0% of renter households in Travis County are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of income on housing.
Regional Context
Compared to Williamson County where rent averages $1,720/month, Travis County is approximately 3% less expensive.
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
Income Needed Calculator
See how much you need to earn to comfortably afford housing
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Based on the 30% rule for rent and 28% rule for housing costs (mortgage + owner costs). Mortgage estimate assumes 20% down, 7.2% interest, 30-year fixed.
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.
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