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Truly a city on the rise, Austin has seen a population growth in recent decades, thanks to the growth of high-tech industry, including computer technology and research organizations. As the state capital of Texas, the city is home to nearly 700,000 residents. What does this mean for people looking for apartment rentals? It means that the city has a lot of apartments to offer those looking to move, but it also means that there is more competition for these apartments.

Quality of Life
With its unique combination of high-tech companies, cutting-edge music and the city's importance as the center of Texan government, Austin has a young and trendy atmosphere that attracts thousands of newcomers every year. Austin is famous for its music scene, which has earned the city the nickname .The Live Music Capital of the World." The annual South by Southwest music festival introduces music fans to hundreds of new bands of every musical genre, and the long-running PBS series Austin City Limits continues to be the most popular music show in town.

Live music isn't the only draw to living in Austin; a temperate year-round climate and an average of 300 sunny days a year make Austin a great place to enjoy the outdoors; you'll find nature trails, parks and wilderness preserves within the city limits! And don't miss Barton Springs, a swimming hole that maintains a constant temperature of 68 degrees.

Where the Jobs Are
Austin's economy used to be dominated by state and federal government as well as the University of Texas. These institutions are still major employers for the area, but high-tech industry is on the rise and has become a huge source of jobs for the city. In fact, the computer industry, engineering and technical services are expected to do the most hiring over the next several years.

Cost of Living & Apartment Prices
Unlike most other high-tech areas, like Silicon Valley and L.A., Austin is a fairly affordable place to live. The overall cost of living is 7% below the national average, and apartments for rent run at an average monthly cost of $750, with utilities averaging $90 per month.

Neighborhoods to Explore
The Northwest area is where most of Austin's new apartment rentals are being built. Be on the lookout for complexes offering move-in specials such as one month of free rent. Average apartments go for $600 for one-bedroom apartments and $850 for two-bedrooms, but expect to pay $700-$1,000 for newer executive apartments. The Northeast area is conveniently located close to downtown and offers one-bedroom apartments for $600 and two-bedroom places for $850. The Central/University area is a college neighborhood with lots of apartments in a range of prices. Expect to pay $495 for an average studio, $575 for an average one-bedroom, and up to $2,000 for a three-bedroom condo. In the South, there are newer apartment communities with many layout options that work well for larger families or those living with multiple roommates. Expect to pay from $500 for one-bedroom apartment rentals up to about $1,000 for average four-bedroom places. Finally, the Round Rock and Georgetown neighborhoods are home to some of the highest-rated schools in Austin, as well as the large corporation Dell Inc. One-bedroom apartments for rent go for an average of $600 and two-bedroom places go for $800.