Austin

Downtown towers give way to bungalows in Zilker and East Austin, with Lady Bird Lake and Barton Springs as the city’s recreational heart. Live music, food trucks and outdoor life drive the culture.

Most residents drive, and I-35 is notoriously congested. MetroRail and buses serve limited corridors, and cycling is growing in the core.

In 2026 the median sale price is about $560K, roughly $5,200 per square metre, and a typical 2-bedroom rental costs about $2,100 a month. Prices are down 2.5% on a year ago and homes take around 70 days to sell, which points to balanced demand.

Texas has no state income tax but high property taxes, so check the annual bill. Many new-build homes come with MUD or PID assessments that affect monthly costs.