Can A Software Developer Afford Rent in Austin, MN?
Comfortably affordable — rent takes 7.9% of gross income.
Austin rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Minnesota state estimate).
About rent and a software developer salary
Software developer pay is among the highest of any large occupation, which makes rent affordability comfortable in nearly every US city. The interesting question for developers is not whether they can afford rent, but how much surplus is left after rent in different markets. At the national-average developer salary, the 30% rule supports about $3,453 a month in rent — well above the median rent in even the most expensive US metros. The per-city pages quantify how much paycheck remains after typical local rent at the local developer-pay estimate.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Minnesota cities have lower median rent than Austin, which improves the affordability math on a software developer salary:
Compare with full rent data for Austin
View full rent data for Austin, MN →Frequently asked questions
Can a software developer afford rent in Austin, MN?
Median rent in Austin is $947 a month. A typical software developer in Minnesota earns about $143,634 a year, which makes that rent 7.9% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is yes.
How much rent can a software developer afford in Austin?
Using the 30% rule, a software developer salary in Minnesota (~$143,634/yr) supports up to $3,591 a month in rent. Austin's current median rent is $947/mo, which leaves a $2,644/mo buffer.
How many hours does a software developer work to cover rent in Austin?
At an hourly equivalent of about $69 an hour, a software developer in Minnesota works roughly 13.7 hours a month to cover Austin's median rent of $947.
Where is rent cheaper than Austin for a software developer?
Nearby Minnesota cities with lower median rent include Albert Lea ($923/mo), Saint Cloud ($905/mo), Saint Cloud ($872/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a software developer salary.