Cost of living / monthly budget (Austin, Cedar Park: salons, mortgage, house)

[Apsarafour]

We're going to be moving to Austin soon from the DC area. Can anyone give me some insight on how our monthly expenses may differ? Apart from the mortgage and related expenses, what about food, car repair, hair cuts, gym memberships, violin lessons, swimming pool admission fees, etc? (We've got two elementary school kids)

And specifically, what is your average monthly electric bill?

Any insights to help us budget will be appreciated.

[atlanta hope]

I wonder how accurate that site is, it claims that Austin is 2.2% cheaper than Atlanta. They probably don't take the property taxes into account! (Yes, I know there's no state income tax... but if we arrive without jobs, that isn't helping us! )

[BstYet2Be]

Originally Posted by atlanta hope

I wonder how accurate that site is, it claims that Austin is 2.2% cheaper than Atlanta. They probably don't take the property taxes into account! (Yes, I know there's no state income tax... but if we arrive without jobs, that isn't helping us! )

With the jobless rate at the highest it's been in the last four years in the nation and with several large companies currently laying off in Texas right now... I cannot emphasize enough how imperative it is to line up a job before relocating here or anywhere.

Long-term unemployment sign of economic weakness - Feb. 1, 2008

[tibbar]

I can give our last 9 years Gas bill for Jan(the coldest month)for 2130 sf house with one level and 8 foot ceilings.
2000, $52.. 01 $160.. 02 $93.. 03 $94.. 04 $102.. 05 $106.. 06 $78.. 07 $121.. The current 2008 Gas bill reflects keeping the house at 60 degrees this winter and using a small heater in the one room I was in most. This Jan Gas bill was $54. The previous years the heat was closer to 72 degrees.

City of Austin bill is Elect, water, wastewater, trash, and street service combined.

Your wastewater is figured on your winter water usage because most water is for household and not lawn/garden. They charge you this determined fee every month unless you use less water. In that case they base the amount charged on "actual use". If you use a LOT of water they charge you the set amount. My $105.00 "water leak bill" only charged me $11.59 wastewater(Thank God!). My wastewater was $11.59 in 2006 and $30.23 in 2007. I don't know my 2008 rate yet.

My water averages arount $15 a month.

My trash and street service is $30 a month.

Electric is highest when AC is used and that is a LOT! My last years worth of elect charges for 2007 with AC set on 83 are...
month 1 $72.. 2 $52.. 3 $37.. 4 $38.. 5 $36.. 6 $105.. 7 $117.. 8 $98.. 9 $125.. 10 $89.. 11 $45.. 12 $34 My highest total bill for 2007 was $197.67 for September(month 9). These summer bills are much lower in 2007 because we had a wet cooler summer and keeping the house at 83 degrees.

I hope that helps give you some idea of utilities cost.

[atlanta hope]

Tibbar - your bills are cheaper than ours here in Atlanta. Good to know!

New2sa - not moving until one of us has a job offer. I have a friend that lives in SW Austin that I might stay with while job looking if I can't get any interest from being out of state.

[neddy]

We have two boys and moved here last year to the Cedar Park/Leander area and a gallon of milk runs about 4 bucks give or take what type you by. Bread 2 bucks gas right now is $2.85 a gallon. We joined the YMCA cause it has loads of kiddo stuff here and its $60 a month for the family but that includes some sport leagues. Music lessons seem to run in the $60 a month range on up over here thats semi private. (Lookes at art lessons and this place had music lessons also. Electric bill for us runs about $100-120 but my husband works at IBM so we have 4 puters running plus all types of other gadgets. Gas in the house summer 20 bucks for water heater,50 for heat and water in winter. Water so far is about 75 including trash. Hair cuts at cool cuts 4 kids (salon owned by Regis salons) about 15 a head. Hope this helps some

[Beano]

I relocated recently from northern Virginia and have found most things to be cheaper. However, one item on my monthly utility bills that has surprised me the most is the cost of water/ wastewater. I never gave the cost of water a second thought in Virginia. Here, I have conserved more than I usually would because of the cost.

That said, Austin is a great place to live and definitely a welcome change from the D.C. area.