Comparing Austin, Texas and Southeast Montgomery, Texas, two interesting and vibrant locations, we see major differences in the community's culture, size, lifestyle, and amenities. Austin, as the state capital with a bustling urban vibe, offers a fast-paced environment. In contrast, Southeast Montgomery provides a comfortable suburban experience with a quieter lifestyle. We delve into multiple aspects to provide a comprehensive comparison.
Living in Austin or Southeast Montgomery, residents should contemplate crime and safety aspects. Austin, due to its large population and urban setting, experiences higher crime rates than Southeast Montgomery. However, the city also has a well-equipped police force actively working to prevent crimes. On the other hand, Southeast Montgomery, with its suburban setting, generally experiences lower crime rates and higher levels of safety.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Austin is relatively high due to its urban character and desirable amenities. Housing, in particular, costs significantly more than the national average. In contrast, Southeast Montgomery offers a lower cost of living, with housing expenses considerably less than in Austin.
Income Tax
Another similarity between Austin and Southeast Montgomery is the absence of city/state income tax. Texas is one of the few states that does not have an income tax, improving residents' take-home pay.
Property Tax
Property taxes vary between these two locations. Austin has relatively higher property tax rates due to its urban nature, in contrast to Southeast Montgomery's lower rates.
Sales Tax
Both Austin and Southeast Montgomery share Texas' city/state sales tax of 8.25%. This tax applies similarly across cities, affecting purchasing power.
Income
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Estimated median household income
$79,542
$85,955
Estimated per capita income
$53,937
$42,611
Cost of living index (U.S. average is 100)
96.4
101.8
If you make $50,000 in Austin, you will have to make $52,801 in Southeast Montgomery to maintain the same standard of living.
Geographical Conditions
Austin, located in Central Texas, features various landscapes from hills to lakes. Southeast Montgomery, closer to the Gulf of Mexico, has flatter terrain and is nearer to beach areas.
Geographical information
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Land area
251.5 sq. miles
483.9 sq. miles
Population density
3,833.4 people per sq. mile
596.7 people per sq. mile
Relative area comparison
Austin, TX Southeast Montgomery, TX
Education
Austin, home to the University of Texas, offers high-quality education, robust research facilities, and a vibrant student population. Several reputable school districts serve children. Southeast Montgomery, while it doesn't boast the same higher education facilities, also offers solid public and private school options for families.
Austin's economy is substantial, with key sectors in technology, film, music, and pharmaceuticals. Job growth in Austin remains one of the highest in the nation. In Southeast Montgomery, the economy is smaller and more reliant on local businesses and industry.
Biggest Employers
Austin's largest employers include Dell, IBM, and the University of Texas. In Southeast Montgomery, large school districts, health networks, and retail giants like Walmart are significant employers.
In Austin (Travis County), 60.2% voted for Democrats and 36.2% for Republicans in 2012 Presidential Election. In Southeast Montgomery (Montgomery County), 19.1% voted for Democrats and 79.9% for Republicans.
Elections
Type
Democrats
Republicans
Other
Year
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
2020
71.7%
27.5%
26.5%
71.4%
1.8%
1.2%
2016
65.8%
22.4%
27.2%
73.5%
7.0%
4.0%
2012
60.2%
19.1%
36.2%
79.9%
3.6%
1.0%
2008
63.8%
23.2%
34.4%
75.9%
1.8%
0.9%
2004
56.1%
21.4%
42.1%
78.2%
1.8%
0.4%
2000
41.7%
22.0%
47.0%
76.0%
11.3%
2.0%
1996
52.4%
26.5%
40.0%
65.2%
7.7%
8.3%
Breakdown of population affiliated with a religious congregation
Type
Adherents
Congregations
Religion
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
CATHOLIC CHURCH
17.3%
12.8%
4.5%
1.2%
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
8.0%
19.0%
22.8%
34.7%
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
1.4%
0.4%
2.8%
0.6%
MUSLIM ESTIMATE
1.2%
2.2%
0.7%
1.2%
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
1.0%
0.5%
2.5%
1.5%
LUTHERAN CHURCH
0.9%
0.3%
2.1%
1.2%
Weather
Both Austin and Southeast Montgomery have a humid subtropical climate. Austin sees hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, and mild winters. Southeast Montgomery, situated near the Gulf of Mexico, experiences similar weather but with higher humidity levels. Both cities are at risk of experiencing hurricanes and tropical storms.
Weather and climate
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Temperature - Average
68.5°F
68.1°F
Humidity - Average morning or afternoon humidity
75.2%
80.3%
Humidity - Differences between morning and afternoon humidity
40%
36.9%
Humidity - Maximum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
89%
93%
Humidity - Minimum monthly morning or afternoon humidity
49%
56%
Precipitation - Yearly average
33.7 in
49.8 in
Snowfall - Yearly average
1.4 in
0.6 in
Clouds - Number of days clear of clouds
19.3%
15%
Sunshine amount - Average
63.3%
60.4%
Sunshine amount - Differences during a year
22%
24%
Sunshine amount - Maximum monthly
72%
67%
Sunshine amount - Minimum monthly
50%
43%
Wind speed - Average
7.2 mph
8.1 mph
Average climate in Austin, Texas
Average climate in Southeast Montgomery, Texas
Air pollution
Type
AQI
CO
NO2
OZONE
PM25
SO2
Year
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Austin
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Austin
2018
76
93
N/A
N/A
4.9
2.9
26.7
26.5
8.7
8.3
0.2
N/A
2017
76
92
N/A
N/A
4.6
3.1
29.7
27.5
8.3
8.6
0.3
N/A
2016
71
81
N/A
N/A
4.2
3.5
29.5
27.0
8.2
8.7
0.2
N/A
2015
78
93
N/A
N/A
4.4
3.4
28.9
26.0
8.6
9.2
0.3
N/A
2014
74
84
N/A
N/A
5.2
3.6
28.3
26.3
8.7
9.3
0.5
N/A
2013
78
100
0.09
N/A
5.5
3.2
29.5
27.6
8.6
9.7
0.5
N/A
2012
86
102
0.13
N/A
5.5
4.6
30.1
26.4
8.6
10.2
N/A
N/A
2011
83
113
0.11
N/A
2.6
5.0
33.0
29.5
9.1
10.9
N/A
N/A
2010
77
100
0.05
N/A
3.2
5.0
29.4
26.4
8.8
11.0
N/A
N/A
2009
76
106
0.05
N/A
2.6
4.9
29.7
25.9
9.0
10.9
N/A
N/A
2008
81
99
0.12
N/A
3.2
5.4
30.7
27.2
9.7
11.3
N/A
N/A
2007
82
115
0.12
N/A
3.1
5.9
27.1
25.3
9.8
11.4
N/A
N/A
2006
89
113
0.14
N/A
3.8
6.5
31.3
28.8
10.0
11.3
0.2
N/A
2005
92
120
0.15
N/A
4.4
6.9
29.0
29.2
10.7
12.8
0.2
N/A
2004
74
103
0.16
N/A
3.3
6.8
26.8
26.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2003
85
115
0.26
N/A
4.2
7.4
28.9
26.4
N/A
N/A
0.1
N/A
2002
83
113
0.33
N/A
3.9
7.4
27.2
26.6
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2001
83
133
0.31
N/A
4.2
7.5
25.5
25.8
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
2000
86
120
0.28
N/A
4.7
6.3
27.8
27.9
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Natural disasters
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Tornado activity compared to U.S. average
137.9%
174%
Earthquake activity compared to U.S. average
80.4%
69.7%
Natural disasters compared to U.S. average
29%
30%
Transportation
Austin provides comprehensive public transit with buses, bikes, and rail services. Traffic congestion can be an issue. Southeast Montgomery, being smaller and less congested, relies more on personal vehicles with limited public transportation options.
Transport
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Amtrak stations
1
0
Amtrak stations nearby
1
0
FAA registered aircraft
911
0
FAA registered aircraft manufacturers and dealers
21
0
Means of transportation to work
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Bicycle
0.8%
0.2%
Bus
1.5%
1.4%
Carpooled
7.9%
13.6%
Car alone
85.9%
79.1%
Motorcycle
0.3%
0.1%
Taxicab
0.1%
0%
Walked
2%
1.1%
Average travel time to work
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Average
29.9 min
32 min
Real Estate
Austin reveals a robust real estate market with high home values but a competitive buying market. Southeast Montgomery, in contrast, offers a more relaxed and less expensive housing market.
Neighborhoods
Austin features a variety of neighborhoods from bustling downtown to peaceful suburbs, each with unique cultural hotspots. Southeast Montgomery is a more uniformly suburban community, offering peaceful living areas.
Houses and residents
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
Houses
469,156
77,705
Average household size (people)
2.4
2.8
Houses occupied
449,399 (95.8%)
72,515 (93.3%)
Houses occupied by owners
196,458 (43.7%)
53,683 (74%)
Houses occupied by renters
252,941 (56.3%)
18,832 (26%)
Median rent asked for vacant for-rent units
$1,286
$1,329
Median price asked for vacant for-sale houses and condos
$549,769
$298,290
Estimated median house or condo value
$482,900
$288,981
Median number of rooms in apartments
3.4
4
Median number of rooms in houses and condos
6
6.8
Renting percentage
54.9%
30.6%
Housing density (houses/condos per square mile)
1,865.3
160.6
Household income disparities
44.8%
43.3%
Housing units without a mortgage
1,799 (1.3%)
10,543 (25.7%)
Housing units with both a second mortgage and home equity loan
6,421 (4.8%)
21 (0.1%)
Housing units with a mortgage
132,628 (98.7%)
30,480 (74.3%)
Housing units with a home equity loan
206 (0.2%)
1,769 (4.3%)
Housing units with a second mortgage
8,515 (6.3%)
1,550 (3.8%)
Housing units lacking complete kitchen facilities
0.9%
1.1%
Housing units lacking complete plumbing facilities
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated business
38,777
6,391
State government workers
46,229
3,200
Unpaid family workers
102
296
Industries and Occupations
In Austin, tech, entertainment, and pharmaceutical industries dominate the job market. White-collar jobs are prevalent. In Southeast Montgomery, healthcare, education, and retail trade are the primary industries providing employment opportunities.
Both Austin and Southeast Montgomery have a robust healthcare system. Austin, with its larger size, boasts extensive hospital networks and specialty care services. Southeast Montgomery has quality but fewer healthcare options.
Health (county statistics)
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
General health status score of residents in this county from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)
Austin, a major city, boasts outstanding infrastructure with state-of-the-art public facilities, well-maintained roads, and numerous parks. Southeast Montgomery, being smaller, has less elaborate but well-maintained infrastructure.
Infrastructure
Type
Austin
Southeast Montgomery
TV stations
20
27
Culture and Food
Austin boasts a vibrant cultural scene with film and music festivals, diverse food options and a vibrant nightlife. Southeast Montgomery, though subdued in comparison, still offers a range of local Texan cuisine and cultural activities.
Sports Teams
Austin has a thrill for sports fans with the Austin FC soccer team and the University of Texas Longhorns. Southeast Montgomery does not have significant professional sports teams but hosts local high school sporting events.
Austin, TX
Southeast Montgomery, TX
