What We Love About Austin!
Although the Austin Real Estate Market is poised to for a "minor correction" in terms of real estate prices, it is always a good to take stock on why we live here and what we love about Austin. We continue to see all kinds of articles about Austin placing high on some list somewhere. We decided to compile a list of lists that show how Austin is ranked in many different categories. So enjoy the read and do something fun this holiday season...I suggest ice skating on the roof of Whole Foods' downtown store!
PS- Did you know that Austin is ranked #1 in Best Big City Places to live by MSN House& Home and #2 in CNN Money's "Best Big Cities To Live in 2007" in their annual Best Places Rankings?
If Austin consistently makes the top 10, 25, 50 lists of best places to live out of hundreds of U.S. cities, then we might just be doing something right. Among large US cities, Austin garners top honors as a best place for entrepreneurs, Hispanics, dating, and budget weekend getaways. The city is recognized as being the fittest, most unwired, and least sweaty of the major Texas cities. Some lists are enlightening and useful. Some are simply amusing.
Singled out as the best city for Hispanics, Singles, Seniors, and Families, it's Austin's high ranking in specific categories that help keep it high on the best cities lists overall. Cost of living is only one factor bringing people to Austin. Weather and climate, unemployment rates, and general quality of life make Austin a favorable choice for singles, seniors (retired or not), families, and kids. To stay one of the best places to live in the United States Austin offers a quality business climate, reasonably healthy environment, thriving social scene, and first class arts, entertainment, and attractions.
| Financial | ||
| City stats | Best places average | |
| Median family income (per year) |
$60,875 | $76,893 |
| Family purchasing power (annual, cost-of-living adjusted) |
$67,191 | $68,109 |
| Sales tax | 8.25% | 6.55% |
| State income tax rate (highest bracket) |
n/a | 6.46% |
| State income tax rate (lowest bracket) |
n/a | 2.74% |
| Auto insurance premiums (Average for the state) |
$2,490 | $2,207 |
| Job growth % (2000-2005) |
2.77% | 10.97% |
| Housing | ||
| City stats | Best places average | |
| Median home price | $197,871 | $259,566 |
| Home price gain (2004-2005) |
8.60% | 9.26% |
| Education | ||
| City stats | Best places average | |
| Colleges, universities and professional schools |
9 | 8 |
| Junior colleges and technical institutes |
5 | 0 |
| Test scores reading (% +/- state average) |
-2.3% | 13.3% |
| Test scores math (% +/- state average) |
-4.0% | 16.9% |
| % students attending public/private schools |
92.6/7.40 | 88.4/11.59 |
| Quality of life | ||
| City stats | Best places average | |
| Air quality index (% of days AQI ranked as good) |
78.6% | 71.9% |
| Personal crime risk (100 is nat'l average; lower is better) |
119 | 45 |
| Property crime risk (100 is nat'l average; lower is better) |
159 | 74 |
| Personal crime incidents (per 100,000) |
525 | 228 |
| Property crime incidents (per 100,000) |
6,056 | 3,105 |
| Median commute time (in minutes) |
19.7 | 20.8 |
| % population with commute 45 mins. or longer |
8.7% | 13.4% |
| Leisure and culture | ||
| City stats | Best places average | |
| Movie theaters (within 15 miles) |
19 | 22 |
| Restaurants (within 15 miles) |
2,429 | 2,268 |
| Bars (within 15 miles) |
161 | 127 |
| Public golf courses (within 30 miles) |
51 | 74 |
| Libraries (within 15 miles) |
44 | 43 |
| Museums (accredited by AAM within 30 miles) |
1 | 7 |
| Ski resorts (within 100 miles) | 0 | 10 |
| Weather | ||
| City stats | Best places average | |
| Annual precipitation (inches) |
33.65 | 36.00 |
| Clear days | 115 | 107 |
| High temp in July ° F | 95.0° | 87.7° |
| Low temp in Jan ° F | 40.0° | 23.5° |
| Health* | ||
| City stats | Best places average | |
| Has health plan (% of residents) |
82.2% | 88.2% |
| Body mass index (avg. for residents) |
27 | 27 |
| Cancer mortality (per 100,000, age-adjusted) |
145.2 | 191.3 |
| Cardiac mortality (per 100,000) |
126.0 | 202.0 |
| Meet the neighbors | ||
| City stats | Best places average | |
| Median age | 30.9 | 34.5 |
| Completed at least some college (% of residents) |
52.6% | 63.9% |
| Married | 40.4% | 54.3% |
| Divorced | 11.1% | 9.3% |
| Amount spent on vacations (domestic and foreign, household avg. per year) |
$6,884 | $7,549 |
