what's the cost of living in austin, tx?
Wondering what things cost in Austin Texas? I'm going to bare my soul here and let you in on what I pay. I'm not sure if I'm average or not - so you'll have to decide on your own if your bills will be similar.
Service |
Cost |
City of Austin |
This bill includes power, water, sewage, trash and recycling. My January bill was around $125, and it got up to $250 in August. I just installed a new AC unit, so this might go down this summer. I have a 1600 sq ft house that is 50 years old, so newer homes might be more efficient with cooling. |
Gas |
My water heater, heater and stove are all gas appliances. Last winter I paid $210 in January, and $15 in August. |
Car Insurance |
My husband and I both drive mid-range 4-door sedans, and pay about $500 per car per year. |
Home Insurance |
I pay about $900 per year on my 50 year old, 1600 sq ft house. |
Property Taxes |
Ouch. I paid $6700 this past year for my house in Central Austin. Keep in mind that Texas has no state income tax, so they make it up here. |
Daycare |
My son goes to a wonderful daycare near my house, and I pay $730/month. You can find cheaper ones, but I'm happy with the one he goes to. |
| Phone & Internet | I pay about $50/month for a landline and DSL internet. |
| Satellite TV | I pay about $70/month for basic satellite TV with 150 channels, no premium stations like HBO. |
| Cell Phone | I pay $55/month for a basic plan one line, limited minutes and texting. |
This list is reminding me how much it sucks to be an adult sometimes.