Everything you need to move to Austin, in one place
Austin keeps growing because people like living here: live music, the Greenbelt and the lakes, a big tech economy, and Texas's lack of a state income tax. Moving here still takes planning, especially in the heat. These guides cover what to do before you arrive and in your first few months.
Austin neighborhoods and nearby towns
A quick, honest tour of central Austin, the suburbs and the Hill Country towns, and who each tends to suit.
Read →First 90 daysNew-resident checklist
Utilities, Texas driver license, car registration, voter registration and homestead exemption, in order.
Read →TimingThe best time to move in Austin
Summer heat, the August lease rush, festival weekends and how to pick a date that is easier and cheaper.
Read →BudgetWhat a move in Austin costs
What drives the price of a local move, what to ask for in writing and how to keep the total down.
Read →Moving dayMoving day in Austin
Heat, parking, building rules, I-35 traffic and the small things that keep the day on schedule.
Read →AboutWho writes this guide
Published by a local, family-owned mover, and how we keep the information accurate.
Read →Austin at a glance
Counties
Austin is mostly in Travis County and reaches into Williamson and Hays. Your county decides where you register a car, vote and file a homestead exemption.
Climate
Summers are long and hot, often in the upper 90s to 100s from June through September. Winters are mild, with occasional freezes.
Getting around
I-35 and MoPac (Loop 1) run north to south, with US 183 and SH 71 crossing east and west. CapMetro runs buses and the Red Line commuter train.
Taxes
Texas has no state income tax. Property and sales taxes do the work instead, so a homestead exemption is worth filing once you own your home.
Common questions
How long do I have to get a Texas driver license after moving?
New Texas residents with a valid license from another state have 90 days to get a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
How soon do I need to register my car in Texas?
New residents generally have 30 days to register a vehicle with their county tax assessor-collector. Travis and Williamson counties also require an emissions test, so check the Texas DMV site for current steps before you go.
When is the cheapest time to move in Austin?
Weekdays in the middle of the month, from late fall through early spring, are usually the easiest to book. Late May through August and the last days of each month are the busiest.
Who provides electricity in Austin?
Inside Austin city limits, electricity comes from Austin Energy, the city-owned utility, billed together with water and trash through City of Austin Utilities. Many surrounding areas are served by electric co-ops or let you pick a retail provider, so check your new address.
Need a crew for the heavy lifting?
This guide is published by Advantage Moving, a family-owned Austin mover since 2001. Free, no-pressure quotes for local moves across Austin and Hays County.