So I think Austin is totally overrated (Sorry Austinians!) Austin has horrible traffic, oppressively hot summers, costs are rising etc. In Austin you're going to have the "85%" rule. Everything's going to be 15% easier than the Bay Area (Costs, hiring, housing) But the Bay Area is just that much better that it's not worth the trade off. (I really don't have anything against Austin I just think it's window closed 5 years ago and keep hearing the 'it's cheaper and better lifestyle' stuff so regularly)