A new economic analysis by the Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP) has revealed that Austin-Round Rock has the second most prosperous local economy in the nation. The analysis ranked the 50 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in the U.S. based on several localized economic factors.

According to Austin's data, the region's population has skyrocketed 32 percent within the last decade, now reaching over 2.42 million people. The median age of an Austin-Round Rock resident is 36.8-years-old.

The three main criteria that determined Austin's prospering rank include a "True Living Cost" metric that tracks price changes for essential household necessities; a "True Weekly Earnings" calculation that determines the median weekly earnings of all workers (including part-timers and those who are unemployed); and a "True Rate of Unemployment Out of the Population" metric that measures the percentage of people unable to find full-time employment with a living wage.

The findings show that about two thirds of all Austin-Round Rock households are earning enough income to afford their basic needs. The remaining 33.5 percent are struggling due to a high cost of living, the report said — and that was actually the lowest number amongst the top 20, at least.

"The total costs of necessities for a 4-person family [in Austin-Round Rock] increased 58.2 percent since 2005 from $55,338 to $87,525," the report said. 

However, Austenite's are bringing home higher weekly earnings than in years past. Austin workers are earning a median $1,126 per week, or about $58,552 a year. The report states the average employee has gained 30.9 percent more purchasing power since 2005, and the average Austin household has 25.2 percent of their income leftover after their necessities.

Read the rest of the article here.