Moving from Sandy Springs, GA to Austin, TX
The drive from Sandy Springs, GA to Austin, TX runs 930 mi β about 17h 8m on interstate, longer with stops. Long-range relocations typically bring real shifts in cost of living, housing prices, climate, and job market. Below, each of those layers is pulled from its source (BEA, Census, Zillow, BLS, NOAA) for a direct comparison.
930 mi Β· 17h 8m by car Β· TX β LA β MS β AL β GA
Distance & route
| Route through | TX β LA β MS β AL β GA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 20, US 80, I 59 |
| Major cities en route | Round Rock, Killeen, Waco, Tyler, Shreveport |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Sandy Springs | Austin | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.058 | 98.066 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 96.239 | 82.044 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 100.416 | 93.757 | 100.0 |
| Services | 111.022 | 120.361 | 100.0 |
Austin and Sandy Springs are close on the overall BEA RPP (100.058 vs 98.066); rent and services often drive the real difference.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Housing gap is large: Austin typical home at $508,530 is 2.0% under Sandy Springs at $691,063 (Zillow, 2026-03).
YoY change: Sandy Springs +2.8%, Austin -5.7%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Sandy Springs | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 62Β°F | 70Β°F |
| January avg low | 33Β°F | 42Β°F |
| July avg high | 89Β°F | 97Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.2" |
| Annual precipitation | 51.4" | 36.3" |
Climate warms by 8.5Β°F on the annual average β 61.5Β°F β 70.0Β°F.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Austin sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: ATLANTA PEACHTREE AP, GA US, AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY, TX US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Sandy Springs | Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,198 | 967,862 |
| Median household income | $101,593 | $91,461 |
| Median age | 37.1 | 34.5 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 39.8% | 36.2% |
| Avg household size | 2.06 | 2.2 |
Income steps down 2.0%: $101,593 in Sandy Springs vs $91,461 in Austin.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Austin MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 160,480 | $44,250 |
| Management Occupations | 121,080 | $120,430 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 115,170 | $38,390 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 115,080 | $30,040 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 99,680 | $77,510 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Georgia and Texas
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Texas's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Austin average 97Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Coastal Texas sees hurricanes June through November; inland areas face severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes in spring.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Texas after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How does household income compare in Sandy Springs vs Austin?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $91,461 in Austin vs $101,593 in Sandy Springs β a 10.0% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Sandy Springs to Austin?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 930 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Austin compared to Sandy Springs?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $508,530 in Austin vs $691,063 in Sandy Springs β a 26.4% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Austin compare to Sandy Springs?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $50,070 in the Austin MSA vs $48,370 in the Sandy Springs MSA, on total employment of 1,235,440 and 2,817,660 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Austin, TX from Sandy Springs, GA?
The driving distance is 930 mi and the route typically takes 17h 8m via I 20 and US 80. The trip crosses 5 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Is Austin more expensive than Sandy Springs?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Austin is 2.0% lower than Sandy Springs (98.066 vs 100.058, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Sandy Springs.
City profiles: Sandy Springs, GA Β· Austin, TX.