If you\u2019re considering relocating to Austin, Texas, then you\u2019re not alone. Home to Apple, 3M, Facebook, Google, a foodie\u2019s paradise, and 300 days of sunshine a year \u2013 it\u2019s no surprise Austin is a magnet for anyone looking to live and work in a Stateside technology hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Austin is the capital of Texas. It spans three counties and has a population of 984,567<\/a> <\/strong>people with a very unique culture of music, food, and cool that places Austin as the best place to live on the US News\u2019 Best Places to Live in the USA list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Titles like \u201cLive Music Capital of the World\u201d<\/strong> and \u201cKeep Austin Weird\u201d<\/strong> are proudly embraced by true Austinites. This sun-soaked city is bursting with opportunity, culture, and an undeniable energy that has drawn stars like Owen Wilson, Sandra Bullock, Matthew McConaughey, Nelly, Andy Roddick, Elijah Wood, and Ren\u00e9e Zellweger to call it home. In recent years, high-profile tech entrepreneurs and musicians have also settled here, adding to the city’s ever-evolving vibrancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The cost of living in Austin is high compared to life elsewhere in Texas, but it\u2019s still around 2% lower than the national average cost of living in the States. Having said that, the actual cost of housing is around 2% higher than the national average. Austin has seen a growth in house prices over recent years, and its status as a major tech city is making the city attractive to young home-buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The average cost of a home in Austin is around $514,193<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 that\u2019s higher than the average cost of a house in Texas, which is a more moderate $200,400. However, this is offset by the average wage paid in Austin being much higher than elsewhere in Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For those wanting to rent in Austin, the average cost of renting is not far off the average national rental cost. In some of the more up-market areas of Austin like Downtown and West Austin, the luxury homes and high-rise apartments can demand rents of more than $2,500, but head north and you\u2019ll get better value for money with rental costs of around $1,000. More popular neighborhoods such as Travis Heights, Hyde Park, South Congress, and East Riverside tend to have much more sensible rental rates that hover somewhere around the national average of $1,500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Becoming a homeowner in Austin is much more attainable than buying somewhere like San Francisco or New York, with a typical house price of $514,193<\/strong>. Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Round Rock are worth taking a look at. Also, if you are buying a property in Texas, you\u2019ll need to set aside around 2.06% for property tax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re staying in Texas for less than 90 days, you may be exempt from needing a visa. This is dependent on you being from one of the 38 countries on the Visa Waiver Program. You\u2019ll need a full US working visa if you\u2019re looking to live and work in Austin, Texas. However, if you\u2019re not, you\u2019ll need a non-immigrant work visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do need a long-term visa, the visa you need will be dependent on your own situation. Where you\u2019re from, how long you are staying, the type of work you will be doing, and more will all have their part to play in the type of visa you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the most up-to-date visa information for the US, visit the official US Department of State \u2013 Bureau of Consular Affairs<\/strong> website: ? https:\/\/travel.state.gov\/content\/travel\/en\/us-visas.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This site provides details on work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.), eligibility requirements, and the application process<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Austin, a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will cost around $60, but a McDonald’s or equivalent fast-food meal will only set you back around $8. You can enjoy a domestic draught beer for around $5, whereas an imported bottle will cost around $7. And you can expect to pay around $2.62 for a loaf of bread and $3-5 for a dozen eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to salary expert<\/a>, the average salary in Austin, Texas is almost $70,000 per year. However, this is an average, and salaries can go much higher \u2013 particularly in tech, with so many Fortune 500 companies clamoring for technology skills and expertise. For example, a Dev+ Engineer can expect to command a cool $129,910, whilst a UX Design manager can expect a salary of $108,000. For those with experience in data and analytics, a typical salary would be around $105,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With 1,600 bus stops and 82 different bus routes, the Capital Metro Bus System will not leave you stranded. Central Texas itself is served by local MetroRapid limited-stop, MetroFlyer, MetroExpress, and University of Texas Shuttle Routes. Day passes start at just $2.50, making it a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to get around town. However, a bus isn\u2019t your only option. There\u2019s the MetroRail train, which operates 6 days a week, taxis, bikes and scooter rentals that can be collected from more than 40 different stations, and even pedicabs, which are pulled by licensed cyclists who work solely on tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Texan state provides a public school system (like the British state school system), which is free for all children in Texas. These schools are self-governing with their own leadership but are accountable to the state. The system is made up of elementary schools, which feed into middle schools that then feed into high schools. After which, students can choose to go on to college or University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are private school options too, which typically cost around $10,119 per year. But some private schools do advertise fees as low as $2,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The list of global tech firms that have found a home in Austin, Texas, is immense. AMD, Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Arm Holdings, AT&T, Atlassian, and that\u2019s just the As. Other notable companies include Hewlett-Packard, Facebook (now Meta), Dropbox, eBay, Nokia, IBM \u2026 the list goes on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dell Technologies is the 4th largest employer in the region, with more than 14,030 employees, and Samsung Austin Semiconductor employs just under 9,000 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It isn\u2019t just global tech giants that you\u2019ll find in Silicon Hill; there are numerous start-ups too. Some of those you might have heard of include Babylon, BigCommerce, Aristocrat, and Bestow. In fact, with such a diverse range of companies, all offering a diverse range of packages, you can find the role that best suits your lifestyle in Austin. There are some companies offering tuition support, those offering flexible working, a few that advertise unlimited vacation days, and some that actively promote diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re craving green space, head to Zilker Park<\/strong>, where you can rent a canoe, paddleboard, or take a dip in Barton Springs Pool<\/strong>\u2014a spring-fed oasis that stays a refreshing 68\u201370\u00b0F (20\u201321\u00b0C) year-round. For a dose of history, visit the Lyndon B. Johnson Library and Museum<\/strong>, where you can browse recorded phone conversations from the former president alongside fascinating historical artifacts. The Bullock Texas State History Museum<\/strong> is another must-see, offering an immersive look into Texas\u2019 rich past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shopping for an authentic Texan look? Allen\u2019s Boots<\/strong> has you covered. And if you\u2019re a foodie, you\u2019re in for a treat\u2014while Sandra Bullock\u2019s Walton\u2019s Fancy and Staple<\/strong> remains a local favorite, Austin\u2019s food scene has exploded with world-class dining spots like Franklin Barbecue, Uchi<\/strong>, and a thriving food truck culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A defining part of Austin\u2019s identity is The University of Texas<\/strong>, which infuses the city with youthful energy and a strong sporting culture. To experience the city like a true Austinite, catch a Longhorns football game<\/strong> at Darrell K Royal\u2013Texas Memorial Stadium or watch the basketball team in action at the Moody Center\u2014the sea of burnt orange, the chants, and the electric atmosphere make for an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For outdoor enthusiasts, Austin offers plenty of ways to stay active. Hike the 10-mile trail around Lady Bird Lake<\/strong>, rent an electric bike<\/strong> to cruise The Boardwalk, or cool off at Deep Eddy Pool<\/strong>\u2014the oldest swimming pool in Texas. And nature lovers don\u2019t have to go far to witness something truly special. Every evening from late March to early autumn, 1.5 million bats<\/strong> emerge from beneath Congress Avenue Bridge, forming the largest urban bat colony in North America. It\u2019s a spectacle that draws locals and tourists alike, and in August 2025, Austin celebrated the 20th annual Bat Fest<\/strong>, featuring live music, food vendors, and craft stalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re here for the music, the food, the outdoor adventures, or the electric energy, Austin never disappoints<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find out more about our\u00a0Austin job opportunities<\/strong>, you can\u00a0search\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0or drop us a line at\u00a0enquiry@ic-resources.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We're delighted to announce that the IC Resources team is growing with the addition of Luke Ord who will be joining the Electronics Recruitment Team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":128,"featured_media":4813,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,322],"location":[448],"salary_guide":[],"job_sector":[],"industry":[],"class_list":["post-4812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-blogs","category-relocation-and-city-guides","location-united-states"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHousing in Austin, Texas <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Visa requirements for non US residents in Austin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The cost of living in Austin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Salaries in Austin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Commuting and Public Transport in and around Austin <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Education system in Austin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Global technology companies in Austin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Things to do in Austin in your spare time <\/h2>\n\n\n\n