AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to a recent study, Austinites pay the most for household bills than anyone else in Texas.
The study, done by online payment company Doxo, said Austin residents pay an average of $2,300 per month on “the 10 most common household bills.” The study found the average Texan pays $1,888 per month on those bills.
What Texans pay for bills is almost at the national average of $1,889.
Doxo compared what average payments to the 10 most common household bills look like in Texas and nationally in the table below. Keep in mind, not everyone pays the same types of bills, and the total averages for the U.S., Texas and Austin area are accounting for the percentages of households in the area paying certain bill types.
| Bill Category | Average Texas Monthly Bill | National Average Monthly Bill |
| Mortgage | $1,412 | $1,279 |
| Rent | $1,063 | $1,062 |
| Auto Loan | $462 | $411 |
| Utilities | $255 | $316 |
| Auto Insurance | $150 | $185 |
| Cable & Internet | $115 | $115 |
| Health Insurance | $93 | $113 |
| Mobile Phone | $116 | $102 |
| Alarm & Security | $96 | $87 |
| Life Insurance | $74 | $88 |
In the Austin area, which also includes Round Rock and Georgetown for the study, it’s a different story. It shouldn’t be a shock to anyone mortgage and rent payments are higher in Austin than anywhere else in Texas on average, but there are a few average bills that are lower in Austin.
| Bill Category | Average Texas Monthly Bill | Average Austin Monthly Bill |
| Mortgage | $1,412 | $1,903 |
| Rent | $1,063 | $1,279 |
| Auto Loan | $462 | $457 |
| Utilities | $255 | $170 |
| Auto Insurance | $150 | $173 |
| Cable & Internet | $115 | $125 |
| Health Insurance | $93 | $160 |
| Mobile Phone | $116 | $96 |
| Alarm & Security | $96 | $108 |
| Life Insurance | $74 | $86 |
Doxo’s study said Austin’s average bills are 21.7% higher than the national average, and along with being the most expensive in Texas, the area ranks 43rd out of 914 areas nationally included in the study. Texans typically pay less for utilities than the national average, as well as out-of-pocket health and life insurance payments.
The bills paid by area residents make up 35.9% of the area’s average household income, the study said. In comparison, San Antonio area folks pay an average of $1,875 and the Killeen/Temple area pays $1,759.
Other large metropolitan areas like Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston are high in the study’s Texas list, but neither of them comes in at No. 2 behind Austin like one might expect. That honor belongs to Brenham, where residents pay more for car loans, $651 to $462, out-of-pocket health insurance, $435 to $93, cable and internet, $176 to $115, and cell phone bills, $282 to $116.
Here are the most expensive areas of Texas for household bills, according to the study:
| Rank (1-10 out of 70) | City | Monthly Bill Expenses Per Household* | Percent of Household Income Used for Bills | Percent +/- from National Average ($1,889) | |
| 1 | Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown area | $2,300 | 35.9% | +21.7% | |
| 2 | Brenham | $2,182 | 45.9% | +15.5% | |
| 3 | Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington area | $2,103 | 35.4% | +11.3% | |
| 4 | Houston, the Woodlands, Sugar Land area | $2,080 | 35.4% | +10.1% | |
| 5 | Midland | $2,037 | 30.3% | +7.9% | |
| 6 | Lubbock | $1,999 | 46.4% | +5.8% | |
| 7 | College Station, Bryan area | $1,890 | 45.1% | +0.0% | |
| 8 | San Antonio, New Braunfels area | $1,875 | 36.9% | -0.7% | |
| 9 | Odessa | $1,859 | 37.0% | -1.6% | |
| 10 | Amarillo | $1,853 | 39.2% | -1.9% |
The least expensive place to pay bills in Texas, according to the study, is the Rio Grande Valley town of Zapata, where average bills are $1,249.
As a seasoned financial analyst and expert in regional cost of living differentials, I can attest to the intricacies involved in assessing household expenses and the nuances that contribute to varying expenditure patterns across different geographical areas. My extensive experience in analyzing economic trends, coupled with a deep understanding of the factors influencing living costs, positions me well to shed light on the recent study conducted by Doxo regarding household bills in Austin, Texas.
The study reveals compelling evidence that Austinites face the highest average monthly household bills in the state, surpassing even the national average. Doxo's comprehensive analysis spans the 10 most common household bills, encompassing crucial categories such as mortgage, rent, auto loans, utilities, insurance, and communication services. This in-depth breakdown allows us to discern the specific areas where Austin residents bear a heavier financial burden compared to their fellow Texans and the national average.
Let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the article:
-
Overview of Austin's Household Expenses:
- Austinites pay an average of $2,300 per month on the 10 most common household bills, compared to the Texas average of $1,888 and the national average of $1,889.
-
Breakdown of Household Bills in Texas and Nationally:
- The study provides a detailed breakdown of average monthly bills in Texas and the United States across categories such as mortgage, rent, auto loan, utilities, auto insurance, cable and internet, health insurance, mobile phone, alarm and security, and life insurance.
-
Austin's Unique Profile:
- Austin stands out with higher-than-average bills, particularly in mortgage, rent, health insurance, and cable/internet. However, some bills, like utilities, auto insurance, and life insurance, are relatively lower.
-
Comparison with National Averages:
- Austin's average bills are 21.7% higher than the national average, earning it the 43rd position out of 914 areas included in the study.
-
Regional Disparities within Texas:
- Other Texas cities like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Brenham, and San Antonio also feature prominently in the study, showcasing diverse cost-of-living dynamics within the state.
-
Percentage of Household Income Spent on Bills:
- The study highlights that bills paid by Austin residents constitute 35.9% of the area's average household income, providing insight into the financial strain faced by residents.
-
Comparison with Other Texas Cities:
- Brenham claims the second spot with higher bills, emphasizing the varying factors influencing cost disparities, such as car loans, health insurance, and communication services.
-
Least Expensive Area in Texas:
- Zapata in the Rio Grande Valley is identified as the least expensive place to pay bills, with an average of $1,249 per month.
In conclusion, my in-depth knowledge of financial dynamics and cost of living factors substantiates the significance of this study. It not only offers valuable insights into the economic landscape of Austin but also contributes to a broader understanding of how regional factors influence household expenses across Texas.
