Is 90K a good salary in Austin?
Just 20 years ago, Austin, Texas, was recognized as one of the driest communities, but now, with its vibrant culture and explosion in the tech industry, it has become one of the hottest cities in the nation. But with that growth came a surge in the cost of living, prompting the question: Is $90,000 a year enough to live comfortably in the "live music capital of the world," Austin?
Cost of Living in Austin
According to May 2024 data from Numbeo, living costs in Austin are rated 1% above the country's average. Housing is the biggest factor, with costs 16% above average. Utilities, groceries, and transportation costs are just ever so slightly under the averages.
Putting some real numbers on it, the average price of rent for a single-bedroom apartment in Austin through February 2024 is $1,483. A two-bedroom apartment averages $1,687. If you are looking to buy, the median home price currently stands at $551,200.
Affording Housing in Austin
Experts advise not to exceed spending over 30% of your income, which includes the taxes you had already paid, on your housing. With that kind of metric, a comfortable one-bedroom average could cost at least $59,320, and an average two-bedroom $67,480. Reaching the middle ground, your household income should hover around $150,000 to be able to afford the median mortgage.
Living Wage in Austin
According to MIT's living wage calculator, in 2024, a single adult with no children needs to make at least $37,752 a year to get by in Austin—or $18.15 an hour. A family of four—a husband, wife, and two children—needs at least each working adult to earn an hourly wage of $20.22 to hit an annual income of $84,115.
Salaries in Austin
The median household income in Austin was estimated at $78,965 by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2024. On average, a person earns $68,247. So either way, $90,000 is solidly above average using either measure.
Occupational Salaries
Of course, wages do naturally vary quite a bit by occupation in Austin. According to the Austin Chamber of Commerce, among the four broad occupational areas having the highest salaries in 2023 are: management ($137,524), legal ($106,086), computer/mathematical ($101,582), and architecture/engineering. However, a food service worker would require an average salary of $28,002, while the healthcare support worker would need an average amount of $34,341.
For further context, here are the median salaries for a few typical positions in Austin as of May 2024, according to Payscale:
Software Engineer: $93,875
Accountant: $60,402
Teacher: $52,500
Retail Store Manager: $48,492
So, $90,000 in annual pay would be toward the upper end for many jobs but not particularly high for the most in-demand careers, like tech and engineering, which have primarily fueled recent growth in Austin.
Quality of Life on $90K in Austin
Ultimately, living in comfort off a $90,000 per year salary in Austin comes down to lifestyle and spending habits. Given one follows the 30% rule for housing, one would comfortably be able to afford rent up to $2,250 monthly or a mortgage around $405,000. That would put a lot of options on the table, though still a stretch for the trendiest of downtown apartments and neighborhoods.
As a single earning $90K, you take home roughly $5,600 every month after tax deductions. Subtract around $2,000 for rent, and you have approximately $3,600 left for the balance of your living expenses, like food, utilities, transportation, health care, and things you might like to save or spend on. That would set you up to max out your 401(k), build a rainy day fund, and still have plenty left over to enjoy all that Austin has to offer.
Of course, with kids in the picture, things would tighten up—even in this scenario, a family of four with two adults making 90k a year each would still be in a very comfortable position. We have not even factored in the cost of childcare, which averages $1,476 per month in Austin. However, with a household income of $180k, you could live in a good school district with some opportunity left for family activities.
On top of that, it is worth bearing in mind that transportation expenses pile up pretty high in Austin if you rely on a car for everyday commuting. Not less than a few hundred dollars, at least, every month should be budgeted for gas, insurance, and maintenance. You would pay $41.25 a month for public transit, and that's if you're an Austin resident. And if you don't have time to clean your apartment, there are still plenty of Austin cleaning services!
The Bottom Line
Is $90,000 a good, livable salary in Austin? Absolutely. At $90,000 in income, you'd be way above the median household income and be enjoying life quite comfortably from either a single person's standpoint or that of a married couple with kids.
Of course, it's not all about money. Austin offers far more to its citizens than just high-paying jobs: one may mention great live music, food, and easy access to the outdoors among the pluses. It's one of those towns where one can definitely live large with $90K but doesn't necessarily have to be rich to enjoy a high quality of life.
If relocating to Austin crosses your mind, $90,000 will form a fantastic starting point, including hiring cleaning service Austin. Just exercise your due diligence in choosing areas to reside to cushion the budgetary fluctuations. And get ready to embrace the "keep Austin weird" spirit!