Move To Austin, TX

Austin Adventure Team

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.