Best neighborhoods for students
- Central Austin (Downtown / UT / SoCo) 92/100
- East Riverside / Southeast 86/100
- East Austin 90/100
- South Austin (Zilker / South Lamar) 82/100
Back to the United States guide
LifeSkills city guide
Austin
United States
Capital of Texas and "live music capital of the world", Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States: young, creative and become a large tech hub ("Silicon Hills", with Tesla, Apple, Oracle, Google) thanks also to the absence of state income tax. It is home to the huge and prestigious University of Texas at Austin and is famous for its festivals (SXSW, Austin City Limits), barbecue, lakes and the “keep Austin weird” spirit. The downside of the boom is that rents, once cheap, have risen significantly (although remaining below the large coastal cities), and the city remains very dependent on the car, with limited but expanding public transport.
Safety 66/100
Affordability 52/100
Student-friendly 84/100
Nightlife 86/100
Transport 42/100
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
Interactive map
Council Districts di Austin
Official administrative boundaries: Council Districts. Select an area to view the available data.
Loading geographic boundaries…
Visible Council Districts 0
Verified geographic dataset
Boundary source: City of Austin — Council Districts (GIS istituzionale) (City of Austin Open Data Terms of Use). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Compare
Neighborhood ranking
Best neighborhoods for nightlife
- Central Austin (Downtown / UT / SoCo) 92/100
- East Austin 90/100
- South Austin (Zilker / South Lamar) 82/100
- North Central / The Domain 78/100
Best neighborhoods for quiet living
- Northwest Austin 82/100
- West Austin (Clarksville / Tarrytown) 84/100
- North Central / The Domain 78/100
- South Austin (Zilker / South Lamar) 82/100
Best neighborhoods for low rent
- East Riverside / Southeast 750 USD
- North Austin 800 USD
- Northwest Austin 900 USD
- East Austin 950 USD
Best neighborhoods for safety
- West Austin (Clarksville / Tarrytown) 84/100
- Northwest Austin 82/100
- North Central / The Domain 78/100
- South Austin (Zilker / South Lamar) 82/100
Neighborhood cards
Where to live in Austin
Central Austin (Downtown / UT / SoCo)
Student hubCentral Austin (Downtown / UT / SoCo): The heart of the city: the University of Texas campus and West Campus, Downtown with nightlife (6th St, Rainey), South Congress (SoCo) and Hyde Park. Lively and central
- Room
- 1,050 USD
- Studio
- 1,700 USD
- Apartment
- 2,300 USD
Safety 66 Student-friendly 92 Nightlife 90 Commute 82
Pros
- student-friendly: 92/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 1,050 USD.
- Useful for University of Texas at Austin (UT).
Cons
- Safety score is 66/100: inspect the exact street and building.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
East Riverside / Southeast
Lower rentEast Riverside / Southeast: The student-friendly and accessible southeast: East Riverside with large student complexes (UT) and Latino community, nearby airport. Among the lowest fees
- Room
- 750 USD
- Studio
- 1,250 USD
- Apartment
- 1,700 USD
Safety 58 Student-friendly 86 Nightlife 54 Commute 74
Pros
- student-friendly: 86/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 750 USD.
- Useful for University of Texas (shuttles from complexes).
Cons
- Safety score is 58/100: inspect the exact street and building.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
East Austin
NightlifeEast Austin: The hippest and most creative neighborhood: music, food trucks, bars, galleries and murals east of the center. Once popular, now trendy and in full gentrification
- Room
- 950 USD
- Studio
- 1,550 USD
- Apartment
- 2,100 USD
Safety 60 Student-friendly 84 Nightlife 90 Commute 80
Pros
- nightlife: 90/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 950 USD.
- Useful for Houston-Tillotson University.
Cons
- Safety score is 60/100: inspect the exact street and building.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
South Austin (Zilker / South Lamar)
BalancedSouth Austin (Zilker / South Lamar): The "weirdest" and most livable Austin: Zilker and Barton Springs, South Lamar and South First with food trucks and clubs. Green, easy-going and much loved
- Room
- 1,000 USD
- Studio
- 1,600 USD
- Apartment
- 2,200 USD
Safety 72 Student-friendly 82 Nightlife 80 Commute 74
Pros
- student-friendly: 82/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 1,000 USD.
- Useful for St. Edward's University.
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Study
Major universities in Austin
University of Texas at Austin (UT)
Elite public (Texas flagship; ~52,000 students, among the largest in the US)
EngineeringInformaticsBusiness (McCombs)RightScienceCommunicationMusic
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Central Austin (Downtown/UT/SoCo)5-15 min (campus and West Campus)
- East Austin10-20 min
- East Riverside / Southeast15-25 min (shuttles)
Austin Community College (ACC)
Public (community college; very accessible, citywide campuses)
Transfer courses (2 years)TechniqueBusinessHealthArts and media
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- North Austin5-15 min (Highland campus)
- East Riverside / Southeast5-15 min (Riverside campus)
- Central Austin (Downtown/UT/SoCo)10-20 min
St. Edward’s University
Private (Catholic; strong in liberal arts, business, and communications)
BusinessCommunicationScienceLiberal ArtsEducation
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- South Austin (Zilker/South Lamar)5-15 min (South Congress)
- East Riverside / Southeast10-20 min
- Central Austin (Downtown/UT/SoCo)10-20 min
Huston-Tillotson University
Private (Historically African American University — HBCU — oldest in Austin)
BusinessScienceEducationArts and humanities
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- East Austin5-10 min (campus)
- Central Austin (Downtown/UT/SoCo)10-15 min
- East Riverside / Southeast10-20 min
Concordia University Texas
Private (Lutheran; strong in business, science, and nursing)
BusinessScienceNursingEducationCommunication sciences
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Northwest Austin5-15 min
- North Central / The Domain15-25 min
- West Austin (Clarksville/Tarrytown)20-30 min
Rent analysis
Average rent by neighborhood
Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.
| Neighborhood cards | Room | Studio | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Austin (Downtown / UT / SoCo) | 1,050 USD | 1,700 USD | 2,300 USD |
| East Austin | 950 USD | 1,550 USD | 2,100 USD |
| South Austin (Zilker / South Lamar) | 1,000 USD | 1,600 USD | 2,200 USD |
| East Riverside / Southeast | 750 USD | 1,250 USD | 1,700 USD |
| North Central / The Domain | 1,000 USD | 1,650 USD | 2,200 USD |
| West Austin (Clarksville / Tarrytown) | 1,100 USD | 1,800 USD | 2,400 USD |
| North Austin | 800 USD | 1,300 USD | 1,750 USD |
| Northwest Austin | 900 USD | 1,450 USD | 2,000 USD |
Cheapest: East Riverside / Southeast, North Austin, Northwest Austin
Mid-range: Northwest Austin, East Austin, South Austin (Zilker / South Lamar)
Premium: West Austin (Clarksville / Tarrytown), Central Austin (Downtown / UT / SoCo), South Austin (Zilker / South Lamar)
Safety
Safety notes
Safer neighborhoods
West Austin (Clarksville/Tarrytown), Northwest Austin, South Austin (Zilker/South Lamar)
Areas to be careful with
some parts of East Austin and the Southeast (Riverside, Rundberg) to evaluate in the evening, Downtown areas at night during major events (crowded 6th Street), theft from the car (do not leave objects in sight) and petty crime
- Austin is overall a safe and livable city for a large American city: the most common risk is petty crime (pickpocketing, car theft), concentrated in some areas, rather than violence. Security varies from neighborhood to neighborhood and from street to street, as always in the USA.
- The very rapid growth has brought more traffic and higher prices, but also many opportunities; the city remains young, creative and welcoming, with a strong community spirit.
- Summers are very hot and long: take into account the air conditioning, hydration and traveling in the middle of the day.
Student perspective: Students: West Campus and District 9 are the heart of UT; East Riverside is the historic area for large student complexes at lower prices (with shuttles to campus); East Austin and South Austin are the liveliest. UT is huge and dominates student life; Transportation for UT students is subsidized, but many still have cars.
Nightlife
Where to go out
6th Street (Downtown)
bar, live music, student night
The historic night street of Austin: dozens of bars and clubs with live music, very crowded, the heart of university nightlife.
Rainey Street (Downtown)
bungalow bars, cocktails, food trucks
Old houses transformed into bars with gardens and food trucks, one of the most fashionable and relaxed areas for evenings in the centre.
East Austin
live music, cocktail bars, indie clubs
The most creative neighborhood for the night: live music venues, award-winning cocktail bars and indie clubs, the "coolest" scene in the city.
South Congress / South Lamar
honky-tonks, breweries, weird clubs
Historic venues, honky-tonks (like the Continental Club) and breweries along the southern arteries, the heart of Austin's musical and "weird" spirit.
Festival (SXSW, ACL)
major music and culture festivals
Austin is the festival capital: South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits (ACL) transform the city into a huge stage several times a year.
Transport
Getting around Austin
Austin is a rapidly growing city but still very car-oriented: public transport (CapMetro) is based on an extensive bus network, some rapid lines (MetroRapid) and a single train line (Red Line), and is cheap but limited. Project Connect, a major plan that will add a light rail line, is underway. For now, outside the center, UT and East Austin the car is almost essential.
Metro CapMetro does not have a real subway: there is a single light train line (Red Line) from Downtown to the north (Leander), useful for some commutersMetroRapid: High-frequency rapid bus lines on major routes (South Congress, North Lamar), the backbone of urban transportationProject Connect: the major plan under construction that will add a light rail line across the city
Tram / busThe CapMetro bus network covers the city but with variable frequencies; MetroRapid lines are the most efficient. Outside the main corridors, however, times take longer and a car is needed for many neighborhoods. The service is cheap.
TrainAustin has an Amtrak station (Texas Eagle) with connections to San Antonio, Dallas and beyond, and CapMetro's Red Line to the northern suburbs; Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), to the southeast, is growing rapidly and is connected by buses.
Pass info CapMetro: $1.25 per ridedaily $2.50monthly pass $41.25 (among the cheapest in the USA)reduced/free fares for many UT studentsbut a car is often necessary
WalkabilityVariable: downtown, the UT/West Campus area, South Congress and East Austin are (partially) walkable; much of the rest of the city is dispersed and designed for driving, with long distances.
Bike-friendlinessDiscreet and growing: there are cycle paths (excellent along Lady Bird Lake, the Ann and Roy Butler Trail) and MetroBike bike sharing, and the central area is cycle-friendly; but intense summer heat, hills to the west and distances limit daily use in many areas.
Transport sources CapMetro — Rete bus, Red Line e tariffe di AustinProject Connect — Il piano di metropolitana leggera di AustinMetroBike — Bike sharing di Austin
Cost of living
Monthly budget estimate
Reference monthly budget $1,400-2,400/month
shared room + utilities + groceries + transportation/car · excludes college tuition
Spending items
Food approximately $350-550/month (personal spending) cheap meal ~$20
Transport CapMetro: $1.25 per ride, daily $2.50, monthly pass $41.25 (very cheap). But Austin is very car-dependent: the network is limited (bus + one train line) and expanding (Project Connect). Many need cars
Utilities approximately $223 per apartment internet ~$71
Coffee / bars cappuccino about $5.50 cheap meal around $20
- Austin used to be a cheap city, but the tech boom has driven up rents: a room in a shared apartment now often costs $750-1,100 and a studio apartment ranges from ~$1,300 to $1,900. However, it remains more accessible than the large coastal cities.
- A great advantage of Texas is the absence of state income tax: for the same gross salary, the net salary is higher than in California or New York, which increases purchasing power.
- Entire 1-bedroom apartment rental: ~$1,300 off-center and ~$1,900 downtown, based on the Numbeo range for Austin.
- The hidden factor is the car: much of Austin is car-dependent, with insurance, petrol and parking costs to take into account; only downtown, near UT and East Austin can you (hardly) live without it.
- Summers are long and very hot (often over 38°C): take into account the air conditioning (high electricity bills in summer).
Budget sources Numbeo — Costo della vita a AustinCapMetro — Tariffe e abbonamenti del trasporto pubblico di Austin
Decision guide
Pros and cons of living in Austin
5 strengths
- Austin is a rapidly growing city but still very car-oriented: public transport (CapMetro) is based on an extensive bus network, some rapid lines (MetroRapid) and a single train line (Red Line), and is cheap but limited. Project Connect, a major plan that will add a light rail line, is underway. For now, outside the center, UT and East Austin the car is almost essential.
- University of Texas at Austin (UT), Austin Community College (ACC), St. Edward’s University: poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
- Students: West Campus and District 9 are the heart of UT; East Riverside is the historic area for large student complexes at lower prices (with shuttles to campus); East Austin and South Austin are the liveliest. UT is huge and dominates student life; Transportation for UT students is subsidized, but many still have cars.
- Austin used to be a cheap city, but the tech boom has driven up rents: a room in a shared apartment now often costs $750-1,100 and a studio apartment ranges from ~$1,300 to $1,900. However, it remains more accessible than the large coastal cities.
- Central Austin (Downtown / UT / SoCo), East Austin, South Austin (Zilker / South Lamar) sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.
5 drawbacks
- Austin is overall a safe and livable city for a large American city: the most common risk is petty crime (pickpocketing, car theft), concentrated in some areas, rather than violence. Security varies from neighborhood to neighborhood and from street to street, as always in the USA.
- A great advantage of Texas is the absence of state income tax: for the same gross salary, the net salary is higher than in California or New York, which increases purchasing power.
- Rents among the highest in the city
- Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
FAQ
Questions about moving to Austin
Is Austin a good city for students?
Yes: it is home to the University of Texas at Austin, one of the largest and most prestigious public universities in the USA, as well as ACC, St. Edward's and other universities. Student life is huge, the music and festival scene is extraordinary, and the cost of living — while rising — remains below the big coastal cities. The downside is the dependence on the car outside the center and the very hot summers.
Is Austin a good city for workers?
Yes, especially in tech: it is one of the hottest technological hubs in the USA ("Silicon Hills"), with Tesla, Apple, Oracle, Google and many startups, favored by the absence of state income tax (which increases the net income). The opportunities are many and growing; salaries are good and the cost of living is lower than the coasts, with excellent purchasing power.
Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?
For students: District 9 (UT/West Campus, the heart), East Riverside (cheaper, with shuttles to UT). For life and creativity: East Austin and South Austin. For those who work in tech: The Domain/North Central. For families and elegance: West Austin and the Northwest. For lower prices: East Riverside and North Austin.
Which neighborhoods are cheapest?
East Riverside/Southeast and North Austin have some of the lowest rents in the city; East Austin has grown a lot but some areas remain more accessible. In general, moving away from the center and the UT, prices drop. With the tech boom, however, Austin is no longer the economic city it once was: it is best to search in advance.
Is public transport convenient?
It's Austin's weak point: the CapMetro network (buses, MetroRapid and a single train line) is cheap but limited, and much of the city is designed for cars. Project Connect, which will add a light rail line, is under construction. For now, only downtown, near UT and East Austin can you (with difficulty) live without a car.
How much budget is needed?
For a student approximately $1,400-2,400 per month between shared room, utilities, groceries and transport (or car costs); university fees and health insurance are separate. Those who work most often fall between $2,400 and $3,800; thanks to the absence of state income tax and the lower costs of the coasts, purchasing power is good.
Why has Austin grown so much?
Due to a mix of factors: the tech boom (with the transfer of large companies and talents, favored by the absence of state income tax), the University of Texas, the music and cultural scene (SXSW, ACL), the climate and the relaxed lifestyle. The result is rapid growth that has brought more opportunities and vitality, but also higher rents, more traffic and a city that is changing quickly.