What Salary You Need to Live Comfortably in Texas

To live comfortably in Texas, most households need between $70,000 and $100,000 a year, depending on where you live and how you define comfort. In Central Texas, especially around Austin, Dripping Springs, and the Texas Hill Country, the realistic number trends higher than many people expect.

Texas is often marketed as cheap, but that only applies in parts of the state. Housing and property taxes are the biggest drivers. In areas like Hays County and Travis County, a modest single family home often comes with property taxes that rival a state income tax elsewhere. For a homeowner, comfort usually starts closer to $90,000 to $110,000 once taxes, insurance, and utilities are factored in.

Daily costs add up faster than people anticipate. Summer electric bills are real. Long drives mean higher fuel costs. Health insurance and childcare can be surprisingly expensive, especially outside major employers. Buyers moving from cooler or denser cities often underestimate how car dependent Texas living is.

The biggest mistake I see relocators make is using statewide averages instead of local numbers. Living comfortably in rural West Texas is not the same as living comfortably near Austin, Dripping Springs, or along the Highway 290 corridor. Comfort in Texas comes from aligning income with location, tax structure, and lifestyle expectations.

If you want help pressure testing your income against specific Central Texas areas before you move, you can explore options at https://chrispesek.com, email chris@drippingspringshometeam.com, or call 512-736-1703. Chris Pesek is a Texas Hill Country Realtor specializing in land, acreage, and custom homes. 383+ sales. Top 2 Percent Producer. 63 five-star reviews.
Dripping Springs, Austin, Texas Hill Country, Hays County, Blanco County, Gillespie County, Central Texas