Cynthia Mattiza Associate Broker · Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty
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Guide

Austin or Dallas-Fort Worth for a tech move: what the 2026 rankings do and do not tell you

I’m Cynthia Mattiza, an Associate Broker with Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty in Bee Cave. CBRE’s Scoring Tech Talent 2026 report, released August 18, 2026, ranks Austin fifth and Dallas-Fort Worth eighth among North American tech-talent markets. Here is what that means for a relocation decision, and where it stops being useful.

By Cynthia Mattiza, Associate Broker Last updated

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Educational, not tax, legal or lending advice — confirm with your CPA and lender.

What does CBRE’s 2026 report say about Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth?

CBRE’s Scoring Tech Talent 2026 report, announced in a press release dated August 18, 2026, lists Austin fifth in its Tech Talent Top 10 by Index Score, with a score of 64.26, and Dallas-Fort Worth eighth, with a score of 62.25. CBRE’s release says the top six markets in its 2026 indexed rankings held steady from last year: the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto, New York Metro, Austin and Washington, D.C. It also describes Dallas-Fort Worth among smaller tech-talent markets that registered large percentage gains in AI jobs from a smaller base than San Francisco and New York.

I am quoting CBRE’s published rankings, not making my own claim about the markets. The full release has the methodology and the rest of the table.

What do the rankings not tell you?

They do not tell you where your employer is, which community suits your family, what a specific home will cost or how long your commute will be. A market ranking measures the size and quality of a talent market. A relocation decision is made at the level of your workplace, your commute and your household. Two markets a few places apart in a ranking can be very different places to live.

What is the same if you choose either one?

Golden-hour aerial of rooftops and trees with the Austin skyline in the distance

Both are in Texas. The Texas Comptroller says Texas has no state income tax, and property taxes are set locally, so the same two questions apply in either metro: what will the specific property cost to own, and what does your employer’s relocation package do. My guides on monthly housing costs, buying with RSUs and renting, buying or selling first are written about Austin, but the questions to ask a lender, a CPA and an appraisal district carry over.

How should I decide between them?

Start with the anchor, then test the rest.

  • Anchor: where is your job or your partner’s, and how many office days a week? If one metro does not contain the workplace, the decision is mostly made.
  • Commute: test the real drive at your departure window in each metro. In Austin, use the commute worksheet; do the same method in Dallas-Fort Worth.
  • Schools and household: check the district for each address you consider, in either metro.
  • Money: collect your own inputs for each home. Do not compare metros with averages.
  • Lifestyle: visit each on a scouting trip with a plan.
  • Flexibility: if your job might change, think about which metro keeps more options for you and your partner.

Where do I fit in?

Shaded cafe corner on an Austin neighborhood street

I work in Austin: West Austin, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Lake Travis, Westlake and Spicewood. I do not work in Dallas-Fort Worth and I am not making any referral claims. If you decide on Dallas-Fort Worth, hire an agent who works there every day. If you choose Austin, I would be glad to help you compare West Austin communities against your workplace and your life.

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Official sources

Frequently asked questions

Where does Austin rank for tech talent in 2026?

CBRE’s Scoring Tech Talent 2026 report, released August 18, 2026, lists Austin fifth in its Tech Talent Top 10 by Index Score, with a score of 64.26. Dallas-Fort Worth is eighth, with a score of 62.25.

Is Austin better than Dallas for a tech job?

The rankings measure talent markets, not your job. Choose based on where your employer is, your commute, your household and your own numbers. Cynthia works in Austin only and does not make claims about which metro is better.

Do Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth both have no state income tax?

Yes. Both are in Texas, and the Texas Comptroller says Texas has no state income tax. Property taxes are set locally in either metro. Educational, not tax advice; confirm with your CPA.

Does Cynthia Mattiza work in Dallas-Fort Worth?

No. She works in West Austin, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Lake Travis, Westlake and Spicewood, and does not make referral claims in other metros. If you choose Dallas-Fort Worth, hire an agent who works there every day.

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