Austin Rents Fall as Apartment Construction Accelerates

As more multifamily developments become available and the tech job boom slows, Austin is seeing more affordable rents than a year ago, but costs remain above pre-pandemic levels.

1 minute read

January 4, 2024, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground at sunset.

jdross75 / Adobe Stock

A report from Realtor.com reveals that Austin, Texas was one of the three U.S. cities with the most dramatic drops in rent prices in November 2023 compared to the same month in the previous year. Shonda Novak explains the report’s findings in the Austin American-Statesman.

After hitting record highs in 2022, “Earlier this year, local housing experts predicted that 2023 would bring some relief for renters due to slower job growth — mainly in the tech sector — and a tide of new apartment supply that was expected to exceed demand.” However, Austin rents are still around 25 percent more expensive, on average, than in 2019.

Experts expect rents to continue to decline as more multifamily construction makes its way onto the rental market. “Multifamily (new construction) completions, the vast majority of which are used for rentals, picked up 16.1% year over year in the Austin metro area year to date (January-October).” 

Wednesday, January 3, 2024 in Austin American-Statesman

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

May 1 - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1 - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

May 1 - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.