Is Your Salary Enough for Austin?
Is $65,000 a good salary in Austin? The median household income here is roughly $65,000. Adjusted for Austin's Cost of Living Index (~157), your $65,000 has the purchasing power of $41,401 in a standard US city. This places you squarely in the Austin middle class income bracket.
Housing Affordability
Housing is the biggest expense. Financial experts recommend spending max 30% of net pay on rent. With a typical take-home pay, you can comfortably afford $1,219/mo. The average rent in Austin is roughly $2,750, so you may need to adjust expectations.
Hourly Rate & Checks
Many Austin residents prefer to think in hourly terms. A $65,000 salary breaks down to $31.25/hr (based on 2,080 hours) or roughly $2,500/check bi-weekly in Texas.
The Real Tax Bite
Where does the money go? In Texas, you will pay roughly $0 in state income taxes on a $65,000 salary. Combined with Federal and FICA, you keep approximately 80% of your gross pay.
Texas vs. Tax-Free States
How does this compare? Earning $65,000 in Austin is equivalent to earning roughly $65,000 in a tax-free state like Florida, due to Texas's None tax structure.