Salary guide · US
Software Engineer salary in Austin: can you afford rent?
A Software Engineer in Austin typically earns $90,000–$230,000/year, with a median around $140,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is $1,750/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $140,000/year, spending on median Austin rent ($1,750/mo) would take up 15% of gross income. That's within the recommended 30% threshold — a comfortable situation.
Software Engineer salary range in Austin
$90,000
Entry level
lower quartile
$140,000
Typical
median estimate
$230,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Software engineers design, build, and maintain applications and systems software. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Austin.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford?
Rent landscape in Austin
$950
Budget
cheapest 10%
$1,750
Median
most common
$2,900
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. US Census ACS 2023 + Austin Board of Realtors data (significant correction from 2022 peak; new supply absorbed demand) · 2023–2024
Frequently asked questions
What does a Software Engineer earn in Austin?
A Software Engineer in Austin typically earns between $90,000 and $230,000/year, with a median around $140,000/year. Salaries vary by experience, employer, and sector.
Can a Software Engineer afford to live in Austin?
At a typical Software Engineer salary of $140,000/year, median Austin rent ($1,750/month) takes up 15% of gross income — within the recommended 30% threshold. Budget options in Austin start around $950/month.
How much rent can a Software Engineer afford in Austin?
On a median Software Engineer salary of $140,000/year, the recommended 30% rent budget is $3,500/month. Compared to Austin's median rent of $1,750/month, this means median-priced accommodation is within reach.
Other professions in Austin
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