Moving from Orange County to Austin Texas — Your Complete Guide
Welcome to your Orange County to Austin relocation guide. If you’re an Orange County homeowner who has been quietly thinking about Austin, Texas — you are not alone.
Austin has become the single most popular destination for Orange County residents leaving California. And it’s not hard to understand why. No state income tax, a booming job market, lower cost of living, and a culture that feels surprisingly familiar to Southern California expats. The live music, the food scene, the outdoor lifestyle — Austin has built a reputation as the city that gives you everything you love about California without the price tag that comes with it.
But here’s what most people don’t realize — moving from Orange County to Austin is not just a real estate transaction. It’s a life transition with a lot of moving parts. And without the right guide, it can become overwhelming fast.
I’m Tom Stewart, Orange County REALTOR® and relocation specialist. I’ve built a turnkey process specifically for OC homeowners making this move — and this guide is the starting point for everything you need to know.
Why Orange County Homeowners Are Choosing Austin
The California exodus is real. According to moveBuddha’s 2024-2025 migration report, California continues to lead the nation in outbound migration — and Texas is the #1 destination.
Here’s what’s driving OC homeowners specifically toward Austin:
No State Income Tax California’s top marginal income tax rate is 13.3% — the highest in the nation. Texas has zero state income tax. For a dual-income Orange County household earning $250,000 a year, that’s a potential savings of $20,000 or more annually. Over ten years that’s $200,000 back in your pocket.
Housing Value The median home price in Orange County sits well above $1 million. In Austin’s suburbs — areas like Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, and Pflugerville — you can find beautiful four and five bedroom homes in the $500,000 to $700,000 range. OC homeowners who sell and buy in Austin frequently end up with a nicer home, a bigger lot, and money left over.
Job Market Austin has become one of the fastest growing tech hubs in the country. Apple, Tesla, Oracle, Dell, and hundreds of startups have established significant presences in the Austin metro. If you’re in tech, finance, or entrepreneurship — Austin’s job market is genuinely compelling.
Quality of Life The Colorado River running through downtown. Barton Springs. Lake Travis. Zilker Park. The Domain. South Congress. Austin has built an outdoor lifestyle and cultural scene that resonates deeply with Southern Californians who are used to having options.
The Biggest Mistakes OC Homeowners Make When Relocating to Austin
I’ve watched this process go wrong in predictable ways. Here are the mistakes that cost people time, money, and stress:
Mistake #1 — Waiting Too Long to List The Orange County real estate market has seasonal rhythms. Spring and early summer consistently produce the strongest buyer demand and the highest sale prices. Homeowners who decide to move in the fall and list in the winter frequently leave significant money on the table. The decision to relocate and the decision to list need to happen on a coordinated timeline — not sequentially.
Mistake #2 — Falling in Love With Austin on Instagram Austin looks incredible on social media. The murals, the restaurants, the lake views — it’s a highly photogenic city. But Instagram doesn’t show you the August heat, the property tax rates, the toll roads, or the flooding risk in certain neighborhoods. Buyers who move to Austin without understanding the micro-markets frequently end up in the wrong neighborhood for their lifestyle.
Mistake #3 — Trying to Coordinate Everything Alone Simultaneously managing an OC home sale, an Austin home purchase, a moving company, utility transfers, school enrollments, and a job transition — without a guide — is a recipe for chaos. The timing alone between closing on your OC home and closing on your Austin home requires careful coordination. One hiccup and you’re either living in a hotel or paying two mortgages.
Mistake #4 — Not Understanding Austin’s Neighborhoods Austin is not one market. It’s a collection of distinct communities, each with its own character, price point, school district, and commute profile. Here’s a quick breakdown of where OC transplants tend to land:
Cedar Park and Round Rock — Family-friendly suburbs with excellent schools, strong community feel, and easy access to the tech corridor. Very popular with OC families.
The Domain area — Austin’s answer to Newport Beach. Upscale shopping, restaurants, walkability, and proximity to major tech employers.
South Austin — Creative, eclectic, and walkable. Feels most like certain parts of LA. Popular with younger buyers and creatives.
Lakeway and Bee Cave — Hill Country living with lake access. Feels most like the OC hills — larger lots, views, and a premium lifestyle.
Georgetown — One of the fastest growing cities in America. Charming historic square, newer master-planned communities, and strong value compared to Austin proper.
What the Relocation Process Actually Looks Like
This is where having a true relocation specialist makes all the difference. Here’s what my turnkey process looks like for OC to Austin clients:
Step 1 — The Strategy Call We start with a 20-minute conversation to understand your timeline, your priorities, and your financial picture. This call determines everything that comes next — including when to list, what to expect from the OC market, and what your Austin budget looks like after the sale.
Step 2 — Pricing Your OC Home I pull current CRMLS data for your specific neighborhood and give you an honest assessment of what your home will sell for in today’s market. No inflated numbers to win your listing — just real data and a real strategy.
Step 3 — Connecting You With Austin I connect you with a vetted, trusted Austin buyer’s agent who specializes in working with California transplants. Someone who understands your expectations, your timeline, and the specific neighborhoods that make sense for your lifestyle.
Step 4 — Coordinating the Timeline This is the most underappreciated part of the process. The timing between your OC close and your Austin close needs to be carefully managed. I work directly with your Austin agent to coordinate both transactions so you’re never caught between homes.
Step 5 — Close and Celebrate You close on your OC home. You close on your Austin home. You move. And you start your next chapter with clarity and confidence — not chaos.
Is Now the Right Time to Make the Move?
That depends entirely on your personal situation. But here’s what the market is telling us right now:
Orange County inventory remains historically low. Sellers who price right are still commanding strong sale prices. If you’ve been thinking about moving — the window to maximize your OC sale proceeds is open right now.
Austin’s market has stabilized after several years of rapid appreciation. Buyers have more negotiating power than they did in 2021 and 2022. This is one of the better entry points for OC buyers in recent memory.
The combination of a strong OC selling environment and a more balanced Austin buying environment is genuinely favorable for anyone considering this move right now.
Ready to Start the Conversation?
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you call. Most of my relocation clients start with a simple question — “Is this even the right move for us?” — and we work through it together.
That’s what I’m here for.
I’m Tom Stewart, Orange County REALTOR® and relocation specialist. When you work with me you get me — not a team, not an assistant. From the first conversation to both closing tables, I’m with you every step of the way.
Let’s have a 20-minute conversation. No pressure. Just clarity.
📞 949.990.2489 📧 tom@stewartregroup.com 🔗 stewartregroup.com
Tom Stewart, REALTOR® · DRE #02086556 · Stewart Real Estate Group at eXp Realty
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