Austin Renters Spend Least of Top Metros on Rent

Why it matters

The ranking compares average one-bedroom rent against median renter household income, so it speaks directly to how much of a single renter's paycheck goes to housing. Austin's renters spend the smallest share of income on rent of any metro on the list, which makes it a useful benchmark for Texans weighing a move or evaluating their current lease.

The details

Apartments.com calculated each metro's rent burden by dividing average monthly rent by median renter household income, which is how the rent-to-income percentages were derived. Because Austin's median renter income is just over $70,000 against the same $1,348 average rent as Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin renters keep a larger share of each paycheck. For a renter earning the median, that gap means roughly two more percentage points of income remain after rent in Austin than in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Timeline

1. October 12, 2026: Apartments.com released its 10 Most Affordable Metros for Living Alone list.

Money Landscape

Measured against the common 30% rent-burden threshold, all three Texas metros on the list sit below that level for average one-bedroom rents. Austin's 23.1% share is the lowest in the ranking, which places it well inside the range the affordability benchmark treats as manageable.

The takeaway

Rent as a share of income, not the monthly rent figure alone, is the clearest way to compare affordability between metros. Texans comparing cities can calculate their own rent-to-income percentage before choosing where to live.

Further reading

For broader context on what apartment costs look like across the state, explore the Apartments section.