Cost of Living in West Lake Hills, TX

With a cost of living index of 276, West Lake Hills, TX is one of the most expensive cities in the United States. Living here is 176% more expensive than the national average and 188% above the Texas state average of 88. West Lake Hills is a small community of 3,315 residents.

Housing costs are the biggest factor in West Lake Hills's cost of living. The median monthly rent is $3,501 (165% above the US median of $1,319), and the median home value sits at $1,647,400 (440% above the national median of $304,900). At current prices, the median home costs roughly 7.8x the median household income — a challenging ratio that puts homeownership out of reach for many residents.

The median household income in West Lake Hills is $211,471, which is 181% higher than the national median of $75,149. Residents spend roughly 20% of household income on rent. This is a comfortable ratio, well below the 30% threshold that financial experts recommend as a maximum. While incomes are above average, they more than offset the higher cost of living.

Everyday prices in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX (Metropolitan Statistical Area) metro area are generally below the national average. Out of 6 common items tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 are priced lower than the US average. These real-world prices — from groceries to electricity — add up and should be factored into any cost of living comparison.

Data sources: US Census Bureau (ACS 2023), Zillow Home Values, HUD Fair Market Rents, BEA Regional Price Parities, BLS Average Prices, and NOAA Climate Normals. Updated monthly.