Help with cost of living (Austin, Cedar Park: to rent, car registration, coop)

[FalconheadWest]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Half of the CITY ?

I said "area". Many parts of Round Rock and Pflugerville and Cedar Park... Not all cities and not entire cities, but many different areas.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by FalconheadWest

I said "area". Many parts of Round Rock and Pflugerville and Cedar Park... Not all cities and not entire cities, but many different areas.

Not to nit-pick; but the OP asked for Austin.

[FalconheadWest]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

Not to nit-pick; but the OP asked for Austin.

Parts of areas that are called "Austin" also have the power to choose, just outside Austin in the ETJ. They are considered Travis County. And as you should be aware, people say "Austin" when they are talking about the entire area. I tell people I live in "Austin" when I actually live in Bee Cave. To people who know where Lakeway is, I tell them I live in "the Lakeway area". It's all "Austin". He's relocating here and doesn't know if he'll end up in a suburb or not. A good part of "South West Austin" is not in the city limits either, but it's all "Austin".

[Trainwreck20]

And as you should be aware, people say "Austin" when they are talking about the entire area.

This, folks, and you know it .

Also would 100k be a resonable wage in this area?

For most people, yes, that is quite reasonable. If that is your sole source of income, it won't make you rich, but a family of four can live quite reasonably on that.

For a reference, the median family income for US/Texas/Austin (Austin-San Marcos-Round Rock):
2014-----$53,657-----$53,035-----$63,603
2013-----$52,250-----$51,704-----$62,761
2012-----$51,371-----$50,740-----$61,283
2011-----$50,502-----$49,392-----$59,773

Per capita income:
2014 -----$28,889 -----$27,125-----$32,549
2013 -----$28,645 -----$26,758-----$32,311
2012 -----$28,169 -----$26,148-----$31,238
2011 -----$28,115 -----$25,982-----$31,678

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by Neil73

Hi,

Might have the opportunity to relocate from the UK to Austin, i have a potential job with a salary of approximately 100k. I need to find out all the costs of living in this area if possible so i can way up if it can be done.
Can you provide an average cost or best guess please for the following (monthly). We are a family of 4. oh and we will be looking to rent at first.

State tax
Federal Tax
housing tax
Medical insurance
Groceries
Electric
Gas
Water
Garbbage
Car insurance

I have possible missed something so please add if i have.
Also would 100k be a resonable wage in this area?

Thanks

Rent = $2,400 budget for 2,000-2,400 sqft home
Utilities = $300/mo average (higher summer, lower fall/spring) all inclusive (elec, water, gas, trash)
Groceries = $400-$800/mo depending on what you eat. No including eating out.

Other expenses are too variable to even guess. But, in general, I think most will agree that a family of 4 that can't live comfortably beneath your $100K/yr income level probably has a spending problem. Plenty of families get by in the same area with $50K-$75K per year gross income. You should be able to put away $2K per month in savings if you are frugal.

Steve

[Trainwreck20]

You could try a search of the forum and find other U.K folks that have immigrated here, I think there are several but cannot recall their user names off-hand.
A couple of other things to maybe consider (I am just guessing here)
- Will you also be taxed somehow in the UK? I have no idea how that works.
- Any kind of visa related expenses?
- I am assuming you will pay into social security (which is lost income if you do not retire here)?

As for federal taxes, you will probably pay 25% minus deductions/exemptions (probably around $15,000-$20,000 if you are a married couple). If you buy a house and are paying interest and property taxes (and sales taxes!), then you can itemize and usually end up with a bit more in deductions.

Also, medical cost is paid pre-tax, as well as social security payments.

[Neil73]

Thanks all for your replies.
Just wondering am I missing any taxes?

Also just to confirm if I rent is what taxes are covered in the rental price.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by Neil73

Thanks all for your replies.
Just wondering am I missing any taxes?

Also just to confirm if I rent is what taxes are covered in the rental price.

If you rent, they you don't pay property tax. You will pay 8.25% sales tax on items you buy.

[10scoachrick]

Originally Posted by Neil73

Thanks all for your replies.
Just wondering am I missing any taxes?

Also just to confirm if I rent is what taxes are covered in the rental price.

IF you lease a vehicle in the city of Austin, you will pay a small ad valorem tax(NOT paid if you purchase the same vehicle or the dealer is outside of the city). Small as it is, it still adds up(~$500 on our three-year lease).

[Roadking2003]

Originally Posted by FalconheadWest

About half the area has the "power to choose" their own electric.

And why not all of it? That would be nice.