Income Needed to Buy in Austin
Common Question: 'How much income do I need to buy a house in Austin?' Based on the median home price of $550,000, lenders typically look for an annual household income of roughly $38,500. This ensures your payment stays below 28% of your gross pay.
Closing Costs in Texas
Don't forget cash to close. In Texas, buyer closing costs typically range from 2% to 5%. For a home in Austin, you should budget between $11,000 and $27,500 on top of your down payment.
Rent vs Buy in Austin
Is it better to rent or buy in Austin? With a calculated monthly payment of ~$3,850, buying is currently more expensive monthly than the average rent. However, buying locks in your housing cost against future Texas inflation.
Hidden Costs: Property Taxes
Generic calculators often get Austin wrong because they underestimate taxes. Our Austin Mortgage Calculator uses the specific Texas property tax rate of 1.8%, which adds roughly $825/mo to your real payment.
First-Time Buyer Tips (FHA & PMI)
First-time buyers in Austin often utilize FHA loans. Note that putting less than 20% down will trigger Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which can add 0.5-1% annually to your loan balance until you reach 20% equity.