Moving to Austin, TX: An Austin-Area Relocation Guide

Whether you’re moving for a job, for family or for the lifestyle, this guide covers the basics: where people live, who’s hiring, getting around, the weather, Texas property taxes and the steps to become a Texas resident. Figures reflect 2026 information from official sources. This page is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice.

Why people move to Austin

Austin is the state capital and one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, with a strong job market, the University of Texas, live music, a big food scene, and lakes, greenbelts and the Hill Country close by. Texas has no state income tax, which draws people from higher-tax states, though local property taxes are higher than many newcomers expect. Living costs vary a lot by area, from downtown high-rises and close-in historic neighborhoods to newer suburbs in Leander, Cedar Park and Georgetown.

Where people live

The Austin area is a collection of very different places. Here’s a quick tour; each links to its homes and neighborhoods.

Jobs & major employers

Tech and advanced manufacturing drive much of the job growth. Tesla’s Gigafactory sits in southeast Travis County near SH 130, Dell is headquartered in Round Rock, Apple has a large north Austin campus, and Samsung makes chips in northeast Austin and in Taylor. IBM, AMD, Oracle, Google and Meta also have big local offices, many near The Domain in north Austin. Outside of tech, the State of Texas, the University of Texas, and healthcare systems such as Ascension Seton and St. David’s are among the largest employers. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is on the southeast side of the city.

Getting around: commutes & geography

Austin is a driving city, and where you live relative to work matters more than distance. The main routes are:

• I-35 runs north–south through the middle of the city and is the busiest corridor.
• MoPac (Loop 1) runs north–south on the west side, with express toll lanes.
• Loop 360 links Westlake and northwest Austin through the hills.
• US 183 and SH 45 connect northwest Austin, Cedar Park and Leander.
• SH 130 is a toll route on the east side that bypasses I-35, near Tesla and the airport.

For a car-free commute, CapMetro’s Red Line train runs about 32 miles between Leander and downtown Austin. If you’ll commute to The Domain or the northwest tech offices, Northwest Austin, Cedar Park and Leander are popular. For downtown, look close-in or along the Red Line; for Tesla or the airport, look at southeast Austin or the SH 130 corridor.

Climate & weather

Summers are long and hot, with highs in the upper 90s and regular 100-degree days in July and August. Winters are mild, with January lows in the low 40s and only about a dozen days a year below freezing, though occasional ice storms can cause outages. Austin averages about 36 inches of rain a year, with May, October and June the wettest months. Central Texas is known as “Flash Flood Alley” because heavy rain runs off quickly through the hills and creeks, so check a home’s FEMA flood zone before you buy. Hail is also common, which is why roof age matters for insurance.

Property taxes & the homestead exemption

Texas has no state income tax, so property taxes fund cities, counties and school districts. Rates depend on the address, including the city, school district and any MUD. On your primary home, file a homestead exemption with your county appraisal district:

• It takes $140,000 off your home’s value for school taxes, plus another $60,000 if you are 65 or older or disabled.
• It caps how much your taxable value can rise each year at 10%.
• Filing is free. If you live in the home on January 1, the deadline is April 30.

The seller’s tax bill isn’t a reliable guide to yours, because the cap resets after a sale. Our mortgage calculator builds an estimate into the monthly payment.

Becoming a Texas resident

• Car insurance: get a Texas policy first; you’ll need it to register your vehicle.
• Emissions test: in Travis and Williamson counties, pass an emissions inspection before you register. Texas no longer requires safety inspections for personal vehicles.
• Vehicle registration: within 30 days of moving, through your county tax assessor-collector.
• Driver’s license: within 90 days, at a Texas DPS driver license office. Appointments can book up, so schedule early.
• Homestead paperwork: the address on your Texas driver’s license should match your new home when you file your homestead exemption.

A few practical things to know

• School districts don’t follow city lines. An Austin address can be in Austin, Eanes, Round Rock, Leander, Lake Travis or another ISD, so check the specific property. The Search by School District menu above shows each district's zones.
• MUDs and HOAs are common in newer suburbs and add to your tax rate or monthly costs. Review the documents early.
• Get insurance quotes early. Roof age and hail coverage drive premiums, and flood coverage is worth pricing near creeks.
• Foundations matter. Central Texas clay soils shift, so a foundation inspection is standard.

Moving to Austin FAQ