By Tanya Kerr, M.Ed., Broker Associate, REALTOR® | T. Kerr Property Group | Updated May 2026
Austin is one of the most active tech relocation destinations in the United States. Apple’s Austin campus is one of its largest worldwide. Tesla’s Gigafactory and headquarters are here. Oracle, Samsung, Meta, Google, Indeed, and Dell all have substantial operations.
If you’re moving to Austin for a tech role, whether transferring with your current employer, starting at a new one, or going fully remote, this guide covers the practical questions: which suburb makes sense for which employer, how lenders treat RSUs and equity-heavy compensation, school considerations, and the tax considerations that affect tech workers specifically.
The Major Tech Employers and Where to Live for Each
Each major Austin-area tech campus has different commute realities.
Apple (Austin / North Austin campus, 78759). Northwest Austin (78759, 78727), Cedar Park, Leander, and northwest Round Rock all offer reasonable commutes. Wolf Ranch Georgetown is 30-40 minutes off-peak.
Tesla (Gigafactory, Travis County, 78725). Southeast Austin, Manor, Pflugerville, and southern Williamson County.
Oracle (Lady Bird Lake, 78741). Central Austin neighborhoods, South Austin, or Williamson County for those willing to commute.
Meta and Google (downtown / The Domain). The Domain (78758) and downtown Austin are the closest. Williamson County for those who want family-suburban life.
Samsung (Austin Semiconductor Plant, 78754; new Taylor TX plant in Williamson County). The new Taylor facility is a game-changer for Williamson County. Hutto, Taylor, Round Rock, and Georgetown make excellent sense.
Indeed (downtown). Similar to Meta/Google.
Dell (Round Rock HQ). Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, all within 20-30 minutes.
Equity Compensation and Mortgage Qualification
If you’re a tech worker, your compensation likely includes RSUs, stock options, or other equity. Lenders treat this differently than base salary.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units). Most lenders will count RSU income if you have a documented two-year history of vesting and your offer letter shows continued vesting. Some lenders apply a discount factor.
Stock options. Trickier. Most conventional lenders won’t count unexercised options. If your compensation is heavily option-based, expect to qualify primarily on base salary plus bonus.
Performance bonuses. Generally counted with a documented two-year history.
Sign-on bonuses. Typically not counted.
Practical implication: A senior engineer with $250K base and $300K in RSUs may qualify for a smaller mortgage than the gross compensation would suggest. Plan accordingly. We work with several lenders who specialize in tech compensation packages.
Tax Considerations for Tech Transferees
No state income tax. Texas has zero state personal income tax, including on RSU vesting income, stock option exercises, and capital gains from stock sales.
The math at high incomes. A senior engineer earning $400,000 saves approximately $40,000 to $50,000 per year in state income tax versus a California-based counterpart.
Property taxes are real but manageable. Texas property taxes typically run 1.8%-2.5% of assessed value. The Texas homestead exemption (recently expanded to $140,000 for school district taxes) helps.
Multi-state tax complications. If you’re transferring mid-year, you may owe partial-year tax to your prior state. California in particular aggressively pursues departing residents.
RSU sales while still a CA resident. If you sell vested stock before fully terminating California residency, California may still claim a portion of the gain.
Schools for Tech Transferee Families
School quality drives both home value and your kids’ experience. The strongest districts in our service area:
- Eanes ISD (Westlake), consistently top-rated
- Leander ISD, strong overall, particularly elementary tier
- Round Rock ISD, strong, with significant variance between campuses
- Lake Travis ISD, strong; popular with families wanting Lake Travis area lifestyle
- Georgetown ISD, improving rapidly with several A-rated campuses
- Liberty Hill ISD, small, fast-growing, parents are highly engaged
Critical rule: Texas schools are zoned by exact street address. Always verify the school assignment for the specific property you’re considering.
Buying Sight-Unseen: How Tech Transferees Often Move
Many tech transferees have a 30-day window between acceptance and start date. Here’s how we structure remote home purchases:
- Phone consultation. We discuss your role, employer, target start date, family priorities, budget, and lifestyle preferences.
- Pre-approval. You get pre-approved with a Texas-licensed lender we trust to handle equity comp correctly.
- Curated listings. We send you a small, hand-picked list of homes, not a flood.
- Live video tours. A team member walks each home with you on FaceTime or Zoom. Honest commentary.
- Strategic offer. Recently we helped a tech transferee buyer negotiate $275,000 under list price on a Central Texas luxury home with the right offer structure.
- Inspection on your behalf. We attend the inspection, video-call you through findings.
- Remote closing. Texas allows remote notarization. You can close from anywhere in the country.
- Move-in coordination. We coordinate utility setups so you arrive to a working home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to relocate to Austin for a tech job?
Most tech transferees execute the move in 30-60 days from job acceptance. The compressed timeline works because Texas allows remote notarization, virtual tours have become standard, and lenders can pre-approve quickly when compensation is well-documented.
Will my RSU income help me qualify for a larger mortgage?
Sometimes, yes. Lenders typically count RSU income if you have a documented two-year vesting history and your grant schedule shows continued vesting. The exact treatment varies by lender, work with one experienced in tech compensation packages.
Should I rent first or buy when relocating to Austin for a new tech job?
If you’re confident in the role and plan to stay 5+ years, buying directly often makes sense. If your role has uncertainty, consider a 6-12 month lease.
What’s the best Austin suburb for an Apple employee?
Apple’s main Austin campus is in northwest Austin (78759). Cedar Park, Leander, northwest Round Rock, and parts of Wolf Ranch Georgetown all offer reasonable commutes.
How do property taxes affect my mortgage qualification in Texas?
Lenders include property taxes in your debt-to-income calculation. On a $900,000 Texas home with ~$18,000 in annual property taxes, that’s $1,500/month added to your housing cost beyond mortgage and insurance.
Should I buy in a MUD or PID?
MUDs and PIDs often add 0.3%-0.8% to the standard property tax rate. They’re common in newer Williamson County developments. The key is knowing the full tax rate before you make an offer.
About T. Kerr Property Group
Our team specializes in helping tech transferees relocate to Central Texas. We’ve worked with employees from Apple, Tesla, Oracle, Meta, Google, Samsung, Dell, Indeed, and dozens of startups. T. Kerr Property Group is a woman-owned, mission-centered real estate team serving Georgetown, Round Rock, Austin, and the surrounding Central Texas area. Our combined team brings 800+ five-star reviews, 2,500+ homes sold, $1 billion+ in total sales production, and 65+ years of combined experience. We are proud PT50 winners, recognized by the Austin Business Journal Residential Real Estate Awards, featured in Real Producers and FOX 7 Austin, voted Best in Round Rock and Georgetown’s Best, and known as one of the top real estate teams in Williamson County and Travis County. Our focus is simple: help people make smart financial decisions through real estate with expert guidance, fierce advocacy, and integrity every step of the way.
Ready to talk? Call (512) 851-8350 or visit our contact page at https://tkerrrealestate.com/contact-us/.