Austin might not be the
No. 1 place to live for those who already live here, according to a new poll.
Findings from the 2017 Zandan Poll—created by longtime resident Peter Zandan—were released today and show the majority of the 813 people surveyed in March feel Austin might be losing its appeal because of the
rising cost of living.
The Zandan Poll also found residents are cutting back on spending because of the higher cost of living.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler said the Zandan Poll results were encouraging.[/caption]
Despite these statistics, Zandan said the study shows Austinites are more positive than the last time he surveyed them in 2015.
"I think the growth and the opportunities and the choices still outweigh the problems for Austinites," he said.
The survey shows 8 out of 10 Austin residents believe Austin "lives up to the hype," and 64 percent of millennials said the city is headed in the right direction compared with 44 percent of people older than 35 who said the same thing.
A March analysis by Community Impact Newspaper found after covering the annual costs of basic necessities, homeowning families at median income levels in Central and Northwest Austin are left with 11 percent to 15 percent of their annual earnings to spend elsewhere. Southwest Austin families are, on average, left with more than double that amount of disposable income.
The research showed singles and couples at median income levels for all three parts of the city have more flexibility with their budgets, especially those who choose to rent apartments. On average, couples and singles in apartments have 55 percent of their median income remaining after the basic necessities are covered.
The percentage of people who felt Austin might be losing its appeal because of the cost of living was up 1.5 percent from 2015, the last time Zandan polled people living within the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
Austin Mayor Steve Adler said he was pleased overall with the results of the survey. Thirty-eight percent of respondents gave Adler a favorable rating, compared with 35 percent who said they were neutral and 17 percent who rated him as unfavorable.
"It's obvious from this poll that Austinites continue to think that the Austin culture is very special," he said. "Everybody still thinks we are a pretty cool place."
Zandan, who moved to Austin in the 1970s, said the survey stemmed from his experience in the city and his professional curiosity to find a way to scientifically measure how Austin citizens feel about the changes going on around them and about their connection to the city.
New to this year's polls is a review of how Austin residents feel about national issues. Questions include how respondents feel about the current administration and issues such as immigration, health care and charter schools.
And in true Austin fashion, the survey polls respondents on the number of times a month they eat breakfast tacos, as well as their preference of guacamole or queso.
Spoiler alert: Queso wins.
Other takeaways from the poll:
- 74 percent of responders said traffic is the most important problem Austin faces.
- 51 percent say their employer offers no incentives to ease the burden of traffic congestion when commuting.
- 65 percent of Austinites have breakfast tacos at least once a month.
- At least 71 percent of people say Austin lives up to the positive hype it gets.
- 61 percent said Austin is a better place for millennials than other U.S. cities.
- 64 percent of 18-34 year-olds say Austin is headed in the right direction. That number drops to 44 percent among people older than 35.
- 59 percent of all Austinites said they never use ride-sharing services.
- 43 percent of Austinites said they did not vote in the May 7 election.
- 75 percent agreed Austin can be described as "culturally diverse."
- 70 percent of Austinites regularly take advantage of Austin's cultural offerings.
- 29 percent said the city's new 10-1 council system has made the city's government better. Fifty-three percent said they did not know enough to answer or did not have a strong opinion, and 18 percent said the 10-1 system made Austin government worse.
- 42 percent said they oppose restrictions on short-term rentals.
- 35 percent said they have a favorable opinion of Austin City Council, compared with 36 percent who said they were neutral and 19 percent who had an unfavorable opinion.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler said the Zandan Poll results were encouraging.[/caption]
Despite these statistics, Zandan said the study shows Austinites are more positive than the last time he surveyed them in 2015.
"I think the growth and the opportunities and the choices still outweigh the problems for Austinites," he said.
The survey shows 8 out of 10 Austin residents believe Austin "lives up to the hype," and 64 percent of millennials said the city is headed in the right direction compared with 44 percent of people older than 35 who said the same thing.
A March analysis by Community Impact Newspaper found after covering the annual costs of basic necessities, homeowning families at median income levels in Central and Northwest Austin are left with 11 percent to 15 percent of their annual earnings to spend elsewhere. Southwest Austin families are, on average, left with more than double that amount of disposable income.
The research showed singles and couples at median income levels for all three parts of the city have more flexibility with their budgets, especially those who choose to rent apartments. On average, couples and singles in apartments have 55 percent of their median income remaining after the basic necessities are covered.
The percentage of people who felt Austin might be losing its appeal because of the cost of living was up 1.5 percent from 2015, the last time Zandan polled people living within the Austin Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA).
Austin Mayor Steve Adler said he was pleased overall with the results of the survey. Thirty-eight percent of respondents gave Adler a favorable rating, compared with 35 percent who said they were neutral and 17 percent who rated him as unfavorable.
"It's obvious from this poll that Austinites continue to think that the Austin culture is very special," he said. "Everybody still thinks we are a pretty cool place."
Zandan, who moved to Austin in the 1970s, said the survey stemmed from his experience in the city and his professional curiosity to find a way to scientifically measure how Austin citizens feel about the changes going on around them and about their connection to the city.
New to this year's polls is a review of how Austin residents feel about national issues. Questions include how respondents feel about the current administration and issues such as immigration, health care and charter schools.
And in true Austin fashion, the survey polls respondents on the number of times a month they eat breakfast tacos, as well as their preference of guacamole or queso.
Spoiler alert: Queso wins.
