A recent article in the Austin Relocation Guide compared living in Austin to other major cities.  Specifically, how much money does it take to have a decent lifestyle in Austin when moving away from these cities?  The study assumed that the person was making $60,000 a year.

For instance it you make $60,000 in Detroit you only need to make $59,440 in Austin.  The plus side here is our winters are the envy of the nation.

Moving from here to Austin you only to make this much to have the same lifestyle:

San Francisco:                    $32,173
Boston:                                $39,397
Denver:                                $51,996
Seattle:                                 $39,381
New York City:                   $33,431
Los Angles:                         $39,819
Chicago:                              $48,354
Portland:                             $45,225

Why such a large gap in wages to sustain the lifestyle?  Because Texas does not have a state income tax and is frugal in spending tax dollars.  These reasons coupled with a favorable climate, good roads, and a can-do business attitude that attracts employers and thus creates jobs, means that you can live here for less than similar size cities.  And since these new arrivals need housing, coupled with the fact that the demographic of the typical renter and homeowner are changing, it means that landlords are in a great position.

Rick Ebert/ Austin, Texas / 29 April 17