No state income tax. 300 days of sunshine. World-class healthcare. Live music every night. Here's everything you need to know about retiring in Austin, Texas.
Texas has no state income tax. Your Social Security, pension, 401(k), and investment income are tax-free at the state level. This alone saves most retirees $5,000-15,000/year compared to California or New York.
Average 300 sunny days per year. Mild winters (avg January high: 62°F). Hot summers, yes, but AC is everywhere. You can be outdoors year-round — hiking, swimming, golfing, kayaking.
Dell Seton Medical Center (Level 1 trauma), St. David's (5 hospitals), Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White, VA Outpatient Clinic. UT Dell Medical School. You're covered.
Live Music Capital of the World. 250+ live music venues. Film festivals. Theater. Museums. UT sports. F1 racing. Farmers markets. You will never be bored in Austin.
Lady Bird Lake (10-mile trail), Barton Springs (68°F year-round), 300+ parks, 50+ golf courses, Hill Country wine trails, state parks everywhere. Active living is the Austin default.
Direct flights to 70+ cities. International flights to London, Frankfurt, Cancún, and more. 15 minutes from downtown. Easy to visit grandkids or take trips.
30 min north. Sun City (55+ community, 9,600 homes, 3 golf courses, pools, 100+ clubs). Historic downtown square. Charming. Affordable. The #1 retirement destination in the Austin metro.
Lake Travis. Lake living, golf courses (Flintrock Falls, Lakeway Resort), hill country views. Quieter, upscale. Median home: $550K-800K. The luxury retirement option.
Hill Country west. Upscale suburban with Hill Country character. Wineries, distilleries, natural beauty. Galleria shopping. Excellent restaurants. Growing fast. Median home: $500K-700K.
Northwest. The affordable option. Growing rapidly. H-E-B Plus, restaurants, trails. 20 min to downtown. Median home: $400K-500K. Best value in the metro for retirees on a budget.
30 min southeast. Small-town Texas charm on the Colorado River. Artsy downtown, state park, affordable. Median home: $300K-400K. The most affordable option with real character.
In the city. Zilker Park, Barton Springs, South Congress culture. Stay in the action. Median home: $500K-700K. For retirees who want urban energy, not suburban quiet.
Median home price: ~$450K (Austin proper), $350K-400K (suburbs). Rent: $1,400-2,000/mo for a nice 2BR. Austin is more expensive than most of Texas but cheaper than California, Colorado, or the Northeast.
The tradeoff for no income tax. Travis County: ~1.8-2.0%. Williamson County: ~2.0-2.2%. Over-65 exemption: school district taxes freeze at the rate when you turned 65. Homestead exemption saves ~$1,000-2,000/yr.
H-E-B keeps grocery costs reasonable (below national average). Electric: $150-250/mo (summer AC). Water: $50-80/mo. Internet: $50-80/mo. Overall: 3-5% above national average, 30-40% below California.
Both: no income tax. Austin advantages: culture, music, less humidity, no hurricanes, Hill Country beauty. Florida advantages: beaches, lower property tax, cheaper housing. Austin wins on lifestyle; Florida wins on cost.
Austin advantages: greener, more water, more culture, better food scene, more diverse economy. Arizona advantages: drier heat, cheaper housing, stunning desert scenery. Austin wins for people who want an active urban life.
Austin advantages: no income tax (NC has 4.5%), more tech/innovation culture, drier climate. Carolina advantages: beaches + mountains, lower cost, milder summers. Austin wins on taxes and culture; Carolinas win on geography.
9,600 homes. 3 golf courses. 50,000 sq ft fitness center. 100+ clubs. Pools, tennis, pickleball, woodworking, pottery. The gold standard. Homes: $250K-600K. Del Webb built.
30 min south. Brookfield Residential. Homes from $300K. Restaurant, fitness center, trails, pool. Growing community. Hill Country setting near outlet malls.
Lake Travis area. Shea Homes. Resort-style with lake access, golf, spa. Homes from $400K. The luxury active-adult option northwest of Austin.