Live music on Sixth Street, Rainey Street and the Red River district most nights backs up Austin's claim to be the Live Music Capital of the World. About a million people live in the city and the metro area is climbing past two and a half million. Days are for Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park and the trail around Lady Bird Lake, and in warmer months people gather at the Congress Avenue Bridge to watch bats fly out at dusk. South Congress is the place for shopping and East Austin for the creative scene.
It is no longer cheap. Home prices are well above most other Texas cities, though they have slid from the 2022 peak, and rents are moderate. Summers pass 100 degrees, flash floods happen, and cedar pollen makes winter miserable for allergy sufferers. Violent crime is reportedly below the national average, though property crime is higher. Sixth Street gets rowdy late on busy weekends, and car break-ins are common.
Cities with a similar character, anywhere on the site.
Out of 10. Open any score to see how it’s worked out. “Data-based” scores come from published figures; “Hey! En Route estimate” scores are worked out from what we know about the city; “Hey! En Route rating” scores were set by our editors.
- Known as
- Live Music Capital of the World; ATX; Silicon Hills; Keep Austin Weird; Violet Crown
- Founded
- 1835 Waterloo settled; 1839 Austin founded as capital; 1840 incorporated
- Languages
- English; Spanish; Chinese; Vietnamese; Hindi
- Airports
- Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS), about 8 miles southeast of downtown; nearest alternates San Antonio International (SAT) about 80 miles; Houston Hobby (HOU) about 165 miles; Dallas Love Field (DAL) about 195 miles
- Tipping
- Restaurants 18-22%; bars $1-2 per drink or 15-20% of tab; food delivery 15-20%; rideshare and taxis 15-20%; hotel housekeeping $3-5 per night; valet $3-5; live music venues usually appreciate cash in the tip jar
