Can I live in Austin making $33,000 a year?

[Muzzle of Bees]

Originally Posted by kisstherain

Hello everyone!

I've been getting a lot of mixed responses from my friends about living in Austin, however, they are still in college so I want to hear more responses from young adults around my age who have a full time job living in Austin.

I'm a female, 23, and I'll be making $33,000 per year if I accept this job offer in Austin. I just want to live comfortably, go out socially from time to time, and I'm definitely planning to find an apartment with roommate(s). I'm hoping to find an apartment for rent around $550-$600 per month. Would $33,000 be enough for someone like me to live in Austin?

I would love to hear your honest responses. Would appreciate it, thanks!

You will get mixed results. 20 years ago I was making 30k in Austin. It was enough then, but there was no savings. It would be really hard today. You would be treading the whole way.

[scm53]

My step son lives here, in an apt by himself, on $30K. He doesn't have a car payment, and he lives in the 'burbs (where his job is), but he makes it. You can too -- just understand that there will be some compromises.

Good luck!

[dbsteel]

You can, but it'll be tight. If you live in the burbs and get a roommate and don't go crazy, no problem.

[CROB86]

With roommates, definitely. When I was single and making 32k I was doing just fine. I shared a nice house in north Austin with 3 other people and paid $450/month but I could have afforded to pay more. Yes, the traffic is bad and is getting progressively worse. I recommend not planning a long commute for your sanity! Live close to work, seriously. It sometimes takes me up to two hours to get home driving 19 miles.