Austin's ten wealthiest zip codes (town, drug, close to)

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by FueledByBlueBell

So basically all areas around Dell.

Not at all, I think #10 was around Dell, but most of the rest were SW and West Austin.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Eastcoasting

What is considered a high salary in Austin? The median household incomes are interesting but really not all that informative.

I realize that the numbers can be all over the place dependent on experience, sector, etc... but I wondered if we could nail down a few numbers here.

I'm thinking an individual making 200K is doing very well for themselves in Austin.

Thoughts

Yes! https://www.city-data.com/income/inco...tin-Texas.html

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by scm53

The issue is, the rankings were based on household income. Yet it was labeled "wealthiest". The two are only tangentially linked. Like when some unnamed politician talks about "the wealthiest Americans" as being anyone making over a certain income. Wealth is assets. Income is income. Not the same.

It is talking about neighborhoods / zip codes, not individuals.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

It is talking about neighborhoods / zip codes, not individuals.

No. The rankings were based on median household incomes for a given zip code. The mistake is labeling "income" as "wealth", whether it is individuals, households, zip codes, cities, counties, states - you name it. Not the same.

[JERiv]

Not really that shocking on the SW thing. Houses in the area are pretty expensive, so you either need decent income or previously accumulated wealth to be able to move down here. Plus you can sort of tell by how some families live around here that they're at a minimum making a good amount of cash. Either that, or their credit card companies absolutely love them!!!

And yes, income <> wealth. But remember, most families in SW are very young. Takes time to accumulate wealth and savings. Specially when you're raising children!

I'd just be curious as to whether folk will stick around once they're able to accrue wealth, or whether they'll move to other areas.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by JERiv

...

I'd just be curious as to whether folk will stick around once they're able to accrue wealth, or whether they'll move to other areas.

Actually, I think the opposite actually happens. Many empty-nesters leave Eanes, for example, and move to 78749, 78739, 78737. When I lived in Granada Oaks, I knew 3 neighbors who did just that, because for $600K they could live in a nicer custom new home that was better than the older $1M+ home they were departing, And the prop tax rate was $1.8% of $600K ($10K/yr) instead of 2.3% of $1.5M ($34K/yr).

On the other end, you have high income people just entering the school age years, who maybe live Central in a 1500-2000 sqft $500K home in Travis Heights or Zilker. They are outgrowing the home and even if they like the lifestyle and schools, a 2800 sqft home in Circle C for $350K, surrounded by other moms and kids, plus all the amenities and conveniences, starts to seem like a good 10-15 year plan.

My wife and I have done the "move further out for the kids", leaving Travis Heights in 1996 for the SW burbs, though it was strictly for more house because we did private schoools through 8th grade with both kids. Now that we're in Eanes (for the high school years), we regularly discuss whether we'll remain in 3 years after our youngest graduates highschool. We love SW Austin and could live in a nicer home that costs half of our current home.

So, in short, I think you have a lot of people in SW Austin living well below their means, alongside people living at their means. Makes for a good blend and great neighborhoods.

Steve

[FueledByBlueBell]

I am surprised 78731 isn't on the list. Seems like a pretty expensive zip code. Maybe everyone bought low and hasn't moved, or are living off of invest interest? Could the apartments be bringing the average for income level down?

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by FueledByBlueBell

I am surprised 78731 isn't on the list. ...

High concentration of cheap 1960s-1980s condos and apartments, largely occupied by students because the UT Shuttle services the Far West area, and that drags down the household income averages.

Steve

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

High concentration of cheap 1960s-1980s condos and apartments, largely occupied by students because the UT Shuttle services the Far West area, and that drags down the household income averages.

Steve

Also a good amount of retired people, in those condos and some assisted living facilities..

[gpurcell]

Pretty tough to take the methodology seriously when it doesn't include Pemberton, Tarrytown, Barton Hills, and NW Hills.