What to Know Before Moving From Houston to Austin

Moving from Houston to Austin means having better access to entertainment venues, public art, and liberal culture. Austin also has a rapidly expanding economy, lovely parks, delicious food, and an amazing music scene.

If you’re moving from Houston to Austin, you’ll have a lot of new things to learn. Austin is fastly growing city, so it’s a good idea to make sure you know what to expect. An average of 150 people relocate to this charming city in the middle of Texas every day, making it a thriving city filled with families and young professionals.

This article will cover everything you need to know about moving from Houston to Austin. We’ll show you what makes it a great place to live. The city has grown in recent years and will continue to do so.

Moving Process From Houston To Austin 

Before you start making plans for moving from Houston to Austin, there are some things you need to know. After all, moving from one city to another requires a lot of planning and preparation.

How Far is Austin From Houston?

The distance from Houston to Austin is 165 miles, and the drive usually takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes by car, depending on traffic. If you’re moving to Austin, chances are you’ll want to visit Houston from time to time. And if you do, the short drive lets you see family and friends back home.

What is the Average Cost to Move From Houston to Austin?

The average cost of moving from Houston to Austin is around $2,500. This relatively low figure is likely because both cities are somehow close geographically. They’re also both in Texas, which has some of the lowest costs for moving. Plus, Austin has plenty of options for storage, furniture, and other household items if you need them after your move.

Still, this figure is only a rough estimate since your move’s specific cost depends on various factors. This includes the distance between your current home and the new one, how many items you need to bring with you, and whether or not you want movers to help you pack and unpack. 

Is Moving From Houston to Austin a Smart Idea?

You’re ready to make a change, but you’re not sure if moving from Houston to Austin is the right decision for your next adventure. Well, you’ll soon realize that moving from Houston to Austin is a smart idea after learning about the benefits of relocating to Bat City. Here are some things to expect when moving to Austin.

Austin Weather

When it comes to weather, you might think that moving from Houston to Austin would not make a difference. But you’d be wrong. 

Austin has more sunny days than Houston, with Austin residents enjoying 228 days of sunny weather while Houston only has 204. The average temperature in Austin is also milder than Houston’s, which means there are fewer days with extreme heat.

But while Austin’s climate is much more pleasant than Houston’s, it can still be hot, especially during the summer. The weather is also less humid in Austin, so you’ll be able to wear light clothing without feeling sweaty. Austin is also far from the coast, so you won’t experience hurricanes that Houston usually experiences.

Natural Beauty

Austin is a better place to live than Houston, not just because the weather is nice. It has a better nature scene. This means that when you go outside in Austin, there are fewer distractions and more time for you to enjoy nature.

Austin is a city with lots of parks, trails, and tree-lined neighborhoods. The city is also home to many lakes, rivers, and a vast amount of wildlife. It has three lakes where you can go fishing, swimming, or even just enjoy paddling around on your boat. You can also take hikes through the hills and trails dotted throughout the area.

Diverse Culture

Although Houston has more diversity than Austin, it still has more than its fair share of welcoming people with different backgrounds and cultures. 

Whether you’re interested in learning more about different ethnic groups or just curious about what they offer, Austin offers a great opportunity for exploration and learning. The city has a distinctive mix of communities due to the numerous diverse cultural and ethnic influences. This also means you can sample delectable cuisine from around the world in one place.

Lastly, Austin is known for its liberal attitude towards immigrants and minorities. It has strong bonds with Hispanic and Asian cultures and friendliness to LGBTQ+ communities. Because it’s such a welcoming city, Austin appeals to many people from a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds.

Live Music Scene

One of the most popular reasons for moving to Austin is its music scene, with more than 250 live music venues within the city. Austin has earned the title of “live music capital of the world” because it was found that it had more live music venues per capita than any other city in the country in 1991. 

Aside from the most well-known SXSW (South by Southwest) event, Austin also holds many other music festivals, such as the JMBLYA Austin and the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Several times a week, live music is welcomed at almost every pub or restaurant in the city. If you love music and have a taste for live shows, Austin is definitely the place for you!

Lower Crime Rates

Austin is much safer than Houston, with fewer violent crimes and murders. The violent crime rate is very low, and the city’s property crime rate is slightly lower than Houston. That’s one reason why it’s so popular with transplants.

Austin is also quieter, which is why so many families want to settle there. You can relax knowing that everyone is protected if you ever live with your family. You will also feel pretty safe if you want to go out at night and wander around the city. 

Top Schools

Austin has some top-notch education options for those relocating there with a family. The University of Texas at Austin is one of the best value institutions, and Austin-area secondary schools are among the top 500 schools in the nation. 

Food Scene

Whether you’re a Texas foodie or not, you need to know that Austin has some of the best restaurants in the country. Austin isn’t as well known for its dining scene, but it’s growing fast thanks to an influx of new residents and businesses. You’ll find plenty of great places to eat when you move from Houston to Austin — especially if you’re into Tex-Mex and barbecue.

What’s the Cost of Living in Houston vs. Austin? 

Austin is a dynamic city, with a population of over 965,000 and a booming economy. But with all this growth comes an increase in the cost of living. According to Nerdwallet, the cost of living in Austin is 5% higher than in Houston. The large increase in costs is most felt in housing and healthcare costs which are 19% and 16% higher in Austin.

Still, Austin is far cheaper than any other large city in the US. Based on the cost of living index released by Numbeo, Austin scored 62.96 out of 100. This score means that living in Austin costs around 40% less than in New York City, the index’s benchmark for a 100 score. This index factors in the cost of consumer goods prices, such as food, transportation, and utilities.

Given the enormous demand for real estate, Austin’s housing market has also maintained stability over time. The median sale price of a house in Austin increased by 22% in March 2022 compared to the same month last year. Median housing costs $624,000, based on the latest data from the Austin Board of Realtors.

Austin’s average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $1,523, slightly less than the $1,701 national average. The further you go from the city center, especially in the north and east, the more affordable housing becomes. Austin’s suburbs, such as Pflugerville, Round Rock, and Cedar Park, offer the most reasonably priced homes.

What’s It Like Working in Austin?

Austin is a great place to work. The city has many job opportunities for recent college graduates and seasoned professionals looking to improve their career growth. The city’s culture and environment are also conducive to business. It has a highly educated workforce that makes it easy for companies to recruit and retain employees in the area. 

There is no denying that Austin’s economy has been booming recently, bringing in tens of thousands of young professionals each year. The city has experienced consistent job growth in recent years, and more growth is expected in the following decade.

Because of the presence of companies like Dell, Google, Meta, IBM, Oracle, Expedia, Amazon, and many more, Austin has developed into a hotspot for startups and tech companies. The city has also received top rankings for both job seekers and young entrepreneurs.

Lastly, Austin is a great city for those who appreciate being around cutting-edge technology. If you’re looking for a tech career, Silicon Valley might be your first choice. However, consider that major local tech firms like Cloudflare and Salesforce are based in Austin. It’s also a great place for young college grads to get their first tech job experience.

What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Austin?

Austin is a bustling city with many things to do, but finding the right neighborhood can make all the difference. From downtown living to hipster hotspots and everything in between, here are the best neighborhoods in Austin for everyone.

Downtown 

You’ll find Downtown Austin, Austin’s central commercial district, on the north bank of the Colorado River. This thriving neighborhood of businesses, dining, nightlife, and the Capitol is a blend of business and pleasure. In addition to retail therapy, downtown Austin has a vibrant arts culture, with galleries and museums located just about everywhere.

Barton Hills

Barton Hills is close to many trendy stores and modern restaurants, a breathtaking network of trails and calm rivers, and convenient access to the city center. The Barton Creek Greenbelt, one of the best urban trails in Texas, passes directly through Barton Hills. It resembles a beautiful oasis in the center of Austin’s concrete jungle.

Clarksville

West of downtown Austin is a compact 10-block neighborhood called Clarksville. Despite being in the city’s heart and just a short distance from so many of downtown Austin’s attractions, Clarksville is a charming, peaceful Austin neighborhood with beautiful homes, a diverse culture, and rich history.

Tarrytown

While most of Austin’s boroughs have a deep history in the counterculture and hippie movement, Tarrytown has a more typical, wealthy heritage. Tarrytown, often known as “Old Austin Money,” is home to lavish residences, upscale stores, and areas shaded by tall trees.

Final Thoughts

Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, so you’ll have plenty of job opportunities and many choices in where to live. The cost of living in Austin is slightly higher compared to Houston, which you might take into consideration as well. 

Of course, affordability is relative, but if you want to relocate to a safer city with a milder climate, Austin might just be the place for you. Moving from Houston to Austin is surely a great idea, from the food to live music to the laid-back atmosphere.

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