Here’s what Austinites spend per year on essentials

Housing is the biggest expense for just about everybody in Austin, according to a presentation by Assistant City Auditor Niki Raggi during a City Council work session Tuesday, as part of an ongoing review by the Office of the City Auditor on affordability in the city. Renters spent an average of $12,430 in 2015 on housing, while homeowners spent an average of $23,690. In addition, the average Austinite spent just under $4,930 on utilities, $9,020 on food, $10,850 on transportation, $4,370 on health care and $8,980 on education and retirement. That means that the average homeowner spent an average of $61,840 on what staff called “affordability cost-drivers,” while renters spent $50,580.