Austin, United States 🇺🇸
#44
,
Nomad Score:
69%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Austin is the capital of Texas, known for its vibrant music scene, tech industry, and diverse culture. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 1 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is around 150 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD = 1 USD (USD is the local currency) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Chase, Bank of America, and Revolut. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include traditional rentals, Airbnb, and short-term leases. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Vrbo, and local short-term rental agencies. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include HI Austin Hostel and The Drifter. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Downtown Austin and South Congress (SoCo) area. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | East Austin and South Lamar are popular for their coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork and Capital Factory are highly recommended for remote work. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Mozart's Coffee Roasters and Houndstooth Coffee are popular work-friendly spots. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com hosts various events for tech and business networking in Austin. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Austin Expat Meetup and international film screenings at local theaters. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Lyft are the main ride-hailing apps in Austin. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Lime and Bird offer electric scooters and bikes for rent. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Lake Travis is the closest water spot for beach activities, about 30 minutes away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Southern Airways Express operates regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | American Airlines and Southwest Airlines have major hubs at Austin-Bergstrom Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Interstates 35, 10, and 20 provide major road connections. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Austin Amtrak Station serves as the primary transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Capital Metro offers day passes and monthly passes for public transit. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and regional rail provided by Capital Metro. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Seton Medical Center Austin is a top healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Black Swan Yoga and Sumits Yoga offer various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gold's Gym and 24 Hour Fitness have multiple locations. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat services include Spin Cycle and Sudsy's. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and DoorDash are widely used in Austin. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Brisket from any local BBQ joint like Franklin Barbecue. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Bouldin Creek Cafe and Arlo's serve great vegan meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Amy's Ice Creams and Sweet Ritual are popular dessert locations. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Farmers markets around the city offer great local produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon and local online retailers like Uncommon Goods. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Instacart and Amazon Fresh are available for grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Sixth Street and the Rainey Street District are hot nightlife spots. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Austin Beerworks is a popular local brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Austin Wine Merchant offers a great selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | The food trucks on South 1st Street are a must-try. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pho from Pho Thai Son and tacos from Veracruz All Natural. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Texas State Capitol and the Congress Avenue Bridge. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Blanton Museum of Art and the Bullock Texas State History Museum. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Driskill Hotel and the Texas State Cemetery. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. Mary's Cathedral is a notable place of worship. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits Music Festival. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The South Congress area is rich with cultural offerings. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Paramount Theatre hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The HOPE Farmers Market and the Texas Farmers' Market. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Austin is known as the 'Live Music Capital of the World.' |
| 🎨 Street Art | The HOPE Outdoor Gallery features local artists' work. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Central Market offers cooking classes for all skill levels. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Art Galleries on South Congress highlight local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Texas Governor's Mansion and the State Capitol. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Austin celebrates its Texan heritage and music roots. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool are ideal for outdoor activities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Big Bend National Park is a few hours' drive away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail is popular among cyclists and walkers. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view at Mount Bonnell is breathtaking. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory is known for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some areas in Zilker Park allow for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | USPS and UPS provide reliable shipping and delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Best Buy and local shops like iPhone Repair provide tech repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Austin Community College and private tutors offer language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Austin Public Library has multiple branches for quiet study. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Austin Recreation Center has various activities and events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | The Geeky Gamer Lounge is a popular gaming venue. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Closest is the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, TX. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $100,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $3,100 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $186,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,700 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $162,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $232,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $200,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 21% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Texas has no state income tax. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 0% (No State Income Tax) |
| 🧾 VAT | Texas does not have a state VAT. However, there is a sales tax of 6.25%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, owners of foreign corporations must comply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax based on the assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | No state transaction tax for property. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No personal income tax makes it attractive for digital nomads. |