LeaseLantern

Cities›TX›Austin

Affordable & Income-Based Housing in Austin

Austin has 238 income-based rental properties totaling 29,762 units across neighborhoods citywide, from East Austin to Downtown. With a median market rent of $1,729 per month (Census ACS 5-Year), affordable housing here can make a real difference for cost-burdened renters. This page helps you find and compare options that fit your budget and location.

238
Properties
29,762
Total units
91/100
Avg HUD score

At a glance

🏠 Affordability
$1,729/mo

Affordability

Austin's median household income is $93,658 and the median asking rent is $1,729 per month, with 57% of residents renting rather than owning, according to Census ACS 5-Year data (2024). Austin has 84 HUD-assisted and income-restricted properties totaling 7,419 units, offering below-market options across the city for income-qualified renters.

Census ACS 5-Year
🛡️ Safety
476 / 100k · 2024

Safety

According to the Austin Police Department's FBI Crime Data Explorer figures, Austin had a violent crime rate of 476 per 100,000 residents in 2024. Note that crime rates are not directly comparable across cities due to differences in reporting practices and definitions.

FBI Crime Data Explorer
🚶 Getting around
Walk Score 63 · Somewhat Walkable

Getting Around Austin

According to Walk Score, assisted properties in Austin area score 63 (Somewhat Walkable) for walkability, 70 (Excellent Transit) for transit access, and 81 for bikeability. These scores reflect conditions near the assisted housing locations tracked on this page.

Walk Score
🎓 Schools
277 schools · 40 districts

Schools

Austin is served by 277 schools across 40 districts, including 157 elementary, 42 middle, and 64 high schools, according to NCES Common Core of Data. Ratings vary by school and district, so renters should check the assigned schools for a specific address.

NCES Common Core of Data
📊 Cost of living
$93,658 median income

Cost of Renting in Austin

Austin's median household income is $93,658 per year, according to Census ACS 5-Year data. The citywide median rent is $1,729 per month, also per Census ACS 5-Year estimates, which can stretch budgets for renters earning below the area median.

HUD-assisted, Section 8, and LIHTC properties offer an alternative: rent in these programs is typically tied to a percentage of your household income, not the open market rate. Austin has 84 income-restricted properties with 7,419 total units across the city.

  • Market median rent: $1,729/month (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Median household income: $93,658/year (Census ACS 5-Year)
  • Income-restricted properties in Austin: 84
  • Total affordable units: 7,419
Census ACS 5-Year
🌊 Environment & risk

Flood and Environmental Exposure

All 84 HUD-assisted properties in Austin were mapped for flood risk. Only 1 of those 84 properties falls in a high-risk flood zone -- a very small share of the overall inventory.

FEMA · EPA AirNow
HUD Inspection Scoresavg 91/100(61 of 238 scored)
90+ (46)70–89 (12)60–69 (1)<60 (2)No score (177)

238 properties on the map

Top-rated properties

Browse all 238 affordable apartments in Austin→

Neighborhoods in Austin

› East Austin72 properties› South Austin apartments41 properties› Affordable housing in Southeast Austin34 properties› North Austin income-based rentals28 properties› Windsor Park14 properties› Wells Branch apartments6 properties› Affordable housing in Downtown5 properties› Hyde Park income-based rentals5 properties› North Loop4 properties› Crestview apartments3 properties› Affordable housing in Oak Hill2 properties› Brentwood income-based rentals2 properties

Other cities in TX

› Affordable housing in Amarillo› Arlington income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Beaumont› Brownsville affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Corpus Christi› Affordable housing in Dallas› El Paso income-based apartments› Income-restricted rentals in Fort Worth› Garland affordable apartments› HUD & Section 8 housing in Houston› Affordable housing in Longview› Lubbock income-based apartments

Your rights & resources

› How HUD & Section 8 housing works› Tenant rights in TX› Housing assistance & waitlists› Free legal aid (LawHelp)› Energy bill help (LIHEAP)

Read more

About Affordable Housing in Austin, TX

Austin is a large, renter-majority city -- according to Census ACS 5-Year data, 57 percent of households rent -- set against a market where the median rent runs $1,729 per month. For renters who qualify, HUD-assisted and income-restricted housing can make a real difference here.

Lease Lantern tracks 84 affordable properties totaling 7,419 units across Austin. South Austin leads all neighborhoods with 27 properties, followed by East Austin with 20.

Of the 61 properties with HUD inspection scores on record, 46 rated Excellent and 12 rated Good, with an average score of 91 -- a strong overall picture for maintained, inspected housing stock.

Flood risk is limited: all 84 properties have been mapped, and only 1 sits in a high-risk flood zone.

Austin scores 63 (Somewhat Walkable) and 70 (Excellent Transit) according to Walk Score, giving residents of income-restricted housing real options for getting around without a car.

According to FBI Crime Data Explorer (2024), Austin reported a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, based on data from the Austin Police Department.

Eligibility & how to apply

Texas income limits (2026)Texas public housing authoritiesSection 8 waitlists in Texas

Helpful guides

How Section 8 Vouchers WorkWhat Is Income-Based Housing?How to Apply for Affordable HousingSection 8 vs. LIHTCUnderstanding HUD Inspection ScoresHow Affordable Housing Waitlists Work
Research: what 22,600 HUD inspection scores reveal →