Austin vs. Houston

Houston vs. Austin. Energy capital vs. music capital. H-Town vs. ATX.  Both are great cities and though they are just two and a half hours apart, they are night and day in how they compare. When making a move or even just passing through, it is good to get the lay of the land for each city’s personality.

Austin vs. Houston Quick Stats

Cost of Living Austin vs. Houston

While there are some similarities to living in each of these major Texas cities, the most consequential difference is the cost of living. While entertainment and healthcare costs are lower in Austin, Houston ultimately has a 9% lower cost of living due to lower transportation, food, and housing costs

Size Matters

Houston is a metropolis. The 2022 census cited Houston as having close to 2.3 million residents and being 669 square miles. Austin, with just under 1 million residents has half the population and is one-third the size of Houston. This smaller size allows Austin to feel more like a small town. Austin is very community-driven, and relationships are built on connections. Because Houston is so large, this kind of environment is harder to achieve. Houston is also more spread out with Houston County consisting of 33 smaller cities, while Austin is a small city within Travis County. Though Austin is smaller, it is growing more quickly. Looking at 2010-2020, Austin’s population has grown 33%, while Houston’s has grown only 9.8%.

Austin vs. Houston Industries & Local Economy

Houston Economy

With Houston’s large population comes a more varied range of commerce. Houston’s main industries are

• Energy
• Medical
• Banking
• Insurance
• Shipping
• Aerospace

This wide range of industries brings more multicultural diversity attracting applicants from all over the world. It is estimated that over 145 languages are spoken by Houston residents.

Austin Economy

Austin is also a notable place to work and is home to companies such as Dell, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Apple, and now Tesla making it the best place to live in Texas if you work in tech, manufacturing, or warehousing. Austin has also built an entire tourism industry around the slogan “Keep Austin Weird” and its world-renowned music scene. Each year roughly 30 million visitors come to see sites like

• The State Capital
• 6th Street
• Lady Bird Lake
• The Bat Cave

Major events like South by Southwest and Austin City Limits contribute millions each year to Austin’s economy, too. Austin is also a great place to live if you work in government, education, or are a startup company. The city is full of mom-and-pop shops and local businesses that residents rally around to help succeed.

Differing Topography

Both towns have varied topography. Austin is part of the greater region known as the Texas Hill Country. To its south, you have beauties such as Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs, and Wimberly. Within the city, you have the option to get out on Lake Travis or Lake Austin. These bodies of water and surrounding towns make for some great outdoor fun. On any given day you could find yourself hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing, or fishing. Houston is located along the Gulf Coastal Plains and just 50 miles northwest of Galveston. Being this close to the beach means sun and surf are a quick drive away.

Go, Team!

Houston Sports

Both towns have lots of options for rooting for your favorite team. Centered around professional teams, many Houstonians remember cheering on the Houston Oilers who were the first professional football team in Houston. In 1996, the Oilers moved to Memphis and then to Nashville where they are now the Tennessee Titans. Now Houston football fans can cheer on the Houston Texans who were founded in 2002. In addition to this football team, Houston sports fans can root for the Astros (baseball) and the Rockets (basketball).

Austin Sports

Because Austin is a college town, Austin is built around the University of Texas sports. The Texas Longhorn football program historically is in the top five most winning teams. UT Austin men’s basketball team has won the NCAA championship 27 times and the women’s volleyball team is a powerhouse taking first place in the NCAA and fourth place nationally in 2019. The University is centrally located downtown making it easily accessible for Austin folks to cheer on the Longhorns on any given weekend. In addition to the University of Texas sports, Austin also has a professional soccer team called Austin FC, which has quickly gained a strong following in the city since its founding in 2018.

And the Winner Is…

It’s anyone’s guess as to which city is best. Both Houston and Austin offer great opportunities and benefits and so long as you are living in Texas, you can’t go wrong living in either city. It all comes down to what you are looking for.

Life at Lakeside at Tessera

When considering where to live, you can’t beat the proximity to Austin when you live at Lakeside in Lago Vista. Don’t wait to find your dream home and explore all Lakeside at Tessera has to offer.

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