The traffic, the heat, the best neighborhoods, and why June is the worst month to move to Austin. A real guide.
Austin added 150 people per day for most of the last decade. The city that was known for keeping it weird is now known for keeping it congested. If you are relocating to Austin for work, you will find a strong job market and genuine cultural energy alongside traffic that ranks in the top 10 worst in the country. Here is the honest guide, built from completing thousands of Austin moves, not a tourism board briefing.
Wondering how much your Austin move will cost? Our Austin Moving Calculator can give you a quick estimate. If you've already got a quote from another moving company, you can use our calculator to see if that price is reasonable.
Get my free quote →- Is Austin a good place to live in 2025?
- Austin neighborhoods ranked: East Austin, Hyde Park, South Congress, Domain
- Cost of living in Austin: the real numbers
- What nobody tells you about moving to Austin
- Austin suburbs worth considering
- Moving logistics: what Undergrads covers
Is Austin a good place to live in 2025?
Austin is a strong choice for tech workers, entrepreneurs, and people relocating from higher-cost metros. The job market is genuinely excellent, with Tesla, Apple, Oracle, and hundreds of smaller tech companies all with major Austin presences. The culture is real: live music, food trucks, outdoor lifestyle, and a creative energy that is not manufactured. The honest downside is cost and traffic. Austin is no longer cheap by any reasonable measure, and I-35 is legitimately one of the worst highways in the United States.
| Category | Austin | National Average | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR rent (median) | $1,650 | $1,700 | Down from 2022 peak of $1,950 |
| 2BR rent (median) | $2,100 | $2,050 | New construction adds $300+ |
| Home price (median) | $540,000 | $420,000 | Significantly above average |
| State income tax | 0% | Varies | No state income tax in Texas |
| Property tax | 1.9-2.2% | 1.1% | High, offsets no income tax |
| Utilities (monthly) | $175 | $130 | AC costs are significant June-Sept |
| Traffic ranking | Top 10 worst | N/A | I-35 corridor is severe |
Austin neighborhoods ranked: where to actually live
Austin is a sprawling city where neighborhood can mean very different things. Here is the breakdown of the areas our crew moves people into most often.
East Austin: the creative corridor
Bars, restaurants, murals, and a mix of longtime residents and recent transplants. East Austin has the vibe Austin was famous for before the tech boom, but it is changing rapidly. East 6th Street, Cesar Chavez, and the Holly neighborhood are the core. Rent runs $1,500-2,000/month for a 1BR. It is still one of the most walkable parts of Austin for nightlife but you will need a car for everything else.
Hyde Park: best for people who want old Austin
Quiet streets, bungalows, proximity to UT campus, and one of the most walkable stretches of Guadalupe Street. Hyde Park has a genuine neighborhood feel that newer areas lack. Rent is $1,400-1,800/month. Older buildings, older infrastructure, and parking is a recurring issue near campus.
South Congress (SoCo): most photographed, least affordable
South Congress is what people imagine when they think Austin. Vintage shops, food trailers, live music, and eclectic energy that ends up on every travel blog. Very expensive now at $1,800-2,400/month for a 1BR. Better to visit than to live in unless you have a strong budget.
The Domain: North Austin tech corridor
The Domain is North Austin's answer to a walkable urban core. Apple's campus is nearby, along with high-end retail, restaurants, and a concentration of tech workers. Very new construction, very suburban-urban hybrid. Rent is $1,700-2,300/month. If your office is in North Austin, this eliminates the brutal cross-town commute on I-35.
Mueller: best planned community in Austin
Built on the old airport site, Mueller is one of the most thoughtfully designed neighborhoods in Austin. Great parks, walkability, mixed income housing, and a suburban feel inside the city. Very family-friendly. Rent is $1,600-2,100/month. Limited supply means units go fast.
From the field
The Domain area moves are the most predictable in Austin. Newer buildings, well-organized loading docks, freight elevators that actually work. South Congress is the opposite: parking is 3 blocks away, no freight elevator, stairs only, and your neighbors will be very annoyed by move-day noise. If you are moving to South Congress, book an early morning slot on a weekday., Undergrads crew, Austin
Get my free quote →What nobody tells you about moving to Austin
- The heat is serious: June through September, expect 100°F+ days with humidity. Moving in August is a physical ordeal. If you have any flexibility, move in April, May, October, or November.
- I-35 will reshape your life: the main north-south corridor through Austin is under perpetual construction and among the most dangerous highways in the country. Learn the parallel routes (Lamar, Burnet, 183) before you need them.
- Water restrictions are real: Austin has had drought-related watering restrictions in recent years. If you are moving from a state with abundant water, the mindset adjustment is real.
- The power grid: the 2021 winter storm was not a one-time event. Texas runs its own power grid. Invest in backup heat options if you are moving from a northern climate.
- Austin is bigger than you think: Cedar Park, Round Rock, Pflugerville, and Georgetown are all commonly called Austin by residents. Your address may say one of these while your actual commute is 40 minutes.
Austin suburbs: the honest ranking
| Suburb | Median 1BR Rent | Drive to Downtown Austin | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Rock | $1,350 | 30-40 min | Families, excellent schools, Dell campus nearby |
| Cedar Park | $1,400 | 35-45 min | Newer homes, Lake Travis access |
| Pflugerville | $1,200 | 25-35 min | Most affordable close-in suburb |
| Georgetown | $1,250 | 45-55 min | Historic square, growing fast |
| Kyle | $1,150 | 30-40 min | Cheapest option, very suburban |
| Leander | $1,300 | 40-50 min | MetroRail access, growing quickly |
| Buda | $1,100 | 30-40 min | Southernmost affordable suburb |
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin still affordable in 2025?
Austin is cheaper than it was at its 2022 peak, when rental prices spiked 30-40%. The median 1BR is back around $1,650, which is roughly at the national average. Compared to coastal cities like San Francisco or Seattle, Austin remains significantly more affordable. Compared to the Austin of 2018, it is not cheap. Budget at least $1,500/month for a decent 1BR.
What is the best neighborhood in Austin for young professionals?
East Austin and Hyde Park are the most popular for people in their late 20s and 30s. East Austin has more nightlife and restaurant energy. Hyde Park has more neighborhood character. The Domain is the best choice if your job is in North Austin and you want to avoid I-35 entirely.
How much do movers cost in Austin?
Studio and 1-bedroom moves in Austin typically run $299-$499 with a 2-person crew (2-3 hours at our locked hourly rate). A 2-3BR home usually runs $499-$799 (3-5 hours). That total is crew-only. If you also need a truck, U-Haul or Penske rentals run $80-$180 and you pay them directly. You reserve for $5 and pay after the move. Visit the Austin page for current availability.
What is the worst time to move to Austin?
August is the worst month: hottest temperatures, peak humidity, end-of-university-lease rush, and the highest demand for moving services. If you must move in summer, book early (2-3 weeks out) and schedule a morning start time before 9am to get the work done before peak heat.
Is Austin safe?
Austin's overall crime rate is near the national average. East Austin has a higher property crime rate than some other neighborhoods. Mueller, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and the Domain area all have crime rates below the Austin average. Research specific addresses using the Austin PD crime mapping tool before signing a lease.
Your Austin move, handled
Undergrads covers all of Austin and surrounding suburbs. Background-checked crew, Show-Up Guarantee, $1,000 damage protection. $5 holds your date. Pay after. See Austin customer reviews before you book.
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