12 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Austin, Texas [2024]

•

Updated: August 31st, 2022

12 Quick Ways To Make Extra Money In Austin, Texas [2024]

Looking for some quick ways to make money in Austin? Wondering how people are making extra money in Texas in 2022?

Side gigs are a great way to earn extra cash and supplement your income.

Whether you're trying to make rent or just need some extra money to spend, there are several side hustles in Austin you can take on. You don't need to commit full-time or even be on contract; you can go in, do the job and get your cash. You'll be your own boss!

What is the average cost of living and income in Austin anyway?

Cost of living: $2,219 per month for a single person, $5,002 for a family of four
Average income: $75,000 per year

Considering this, it makes sense if you want to make some extra money.

If you're looking to make money fast in Austin Texas, then here are 10 great side gig options for you.

P.S. Looking for more than just Austin? See our list of 22 ways to make money as a Texan.

1. Drive For Uber Or Lyft

If you've got a car and time on a Saturday, you could be making some cash driving people around. Instead of wasting your time sitting through traffic when you sign off from work, you can drive an Uber or Lyft and earn some extra cash in Austin by the time you reach home!

Ridesharing apps are one of the most lucrative ways to make extra cash. Not just because of the flexible schedule, but the revenue you generate!

Earning Potential: Up to $26/hour

Requirements: Meet the minimum age to drive in your city, have at least one year of driving experience, and clear a background check. See all requirements

Investment needed: $0 upfront if you already have a car!

How To Get Started: Apply to be a driver at Uber here, or Lyft driver here.

Don't have a car? Rent a car for ridesharing or deliveries with HyreCar.

2. Become a Dog Walker

If you have a couple of hours and need an exercise buddy, consider taking a stranger's dog for a walk. There are tons of people in the area that can't walk their dogs and will pay you to have a fun hour or two with their bundle of fur. Can it get any better?

Apps like Wag let you work on a flexible schedule and choose when you want to work. However, if you're open to doggy sitting/boarding - you're on call 24/7. Still, you're doing a service to your neighborhood and getting paid handsomely for it!

Earning Potential: up to $25/hour

Benefits: You get to play with a furball, get some exercise and explore the area!

How To Get Started: You can apply to be a dog walker through apps like Rover, Walkatxpets, Wag.

Dog walking can bring in some serious money. Learn how Melodi makes $54k/month walking dogs.

3. Run errands for people

Aptly named, the app Favor lets you drive around doing personal delivery assistance tasks for strangers! From picking up their dry cleaning to food, you'll go out on the run and collect the tips afterward.

Unlike Uber or Lyft, you'll only be doing the strangers a favor (and you won't have to deal with them in your car).

Potential: Earn anywhere between $10 - $11 per hour, and keep all the tips you make!

Benefit: You can get some of your own errands done while making some extra cash on the side!

How To Get Started: You can get started through apps like Task Rabbit & Favor.

Learn how William made $130,000 in one year on Task Rabbit.

4. Deliver Packages With Amazon Flex

Whether it's delivering food or your packages, Amazon's been expanding its businesses, and you can help them do it while you earn some extra cash.

Amazon Flex has partnered with part-time drivers as service providers to help with on-time delivery services. You can participate in this initiative and earn a good income yourself. If you find out that you really enjoy doing this, then maybe you can even start your own logistics & delivery company in the future.

Earning Potential: Earn anywhere between $18 to $20

Requirements: Minimum age has to be 21 years old, will need a social security number, have to go through a background check, have a valid driver's license and a four-wheeler (preferably a pickup truck or van), and a smartphone.

Benefit: Earn some money, deliver some packages, and decide your schedule!

How To Get Started: You can apply for being an Amazon flex driver here.

5. Watch Videos & Make Money

Several platforms allow you to make money by watching the videos on their platform. These videos are available in all genres, such as entertainment, travel, home, etc. You can, therefore, expect to watch videos that you like best. This can be a great way to earn passive income along with furthering your knowledge in various domains. You can watch videos on the go, while commuting or simply when you are getting bored.

Who knows, if you discover that you are really interested in the space & always have feedback on how the video should have been made, you can even start your own video production company in the future.

Potential: Make anywhere between $100 - $150 a month!

Benefit: It’s easy and doesn’t require any effort at all!

How To Get Started: You can start watching videos & get paid on platforms like Swagbucks, Inboxdollars and many more

6. Take Online Surveys

Although these aren't the favorite side hustle of almost everyone, they are convenient and easy ways to do so. While you can doze off when watching a movie, why not click some buttons and do some work to make the money you want?

Several survey sites allow you to get paid while you share your opinion. You can fill in your opinions for endless surveys and earn extra bucks for filling up the survey forms. Some platforms even offer a bonus for completing the first five rounds of the survey.

Potential: If you’re smart, you can earn up to $10 per survey!

Benefit: You can do these surveys anywhere, anytime, and however you’d like!

How To Get Started: You can start filling out surveys at Inboxdollars, Survey Junkie and many more.

7. Become A Stylist

Do you have an eye for all the latest styles? Have you been told that fashion is in your blood? Then capitalize on your instincts and become a part-time stylist for Stitch Fix. You can tell people when their outfits suck, pick out curated subscription boxes, and live your Devil Wears Prada dreams!

Potential: You can make up to $16/hour!

Benefits: It's fun work, easy money, and great pay!

How To Get Started: You can start exploring your passion for styling by applying at StitchFix or looking for freelance styling gigs at Upwork

8. Start Dropshipping Online

Another easy way to make extra money irrespective of your location is to start a dropshipping business. You can set up an online store & start earning money with minimal effort.

All you need to do is select the items you want to sell, add them to your online store & start selling. The supplier is responsible for packing & shipping the product directly to your customer. All you need to do is market.

Earning Potential: Depending on your skills and effort, you can make up to $100,000/year

Benefits: You will be your own boss, gain entrepreneurial skills & operate the store from anywhere in the world

Requirements: You will need to have a business license to sell at a dropshipping store.

Investment Needed: You will need as low as $100 to start a dropshipping business.

How to Get Started: You can start by setting up a free online storefront via Wix or Weebly

Learn how Amanda makes $12k per month dropshipping these tiny products.

9. Start Freelancing

Freelancing is not just a trend. It is a way of life for many people. The internet has made it easier than ever to find freelance work and make money online in Austin.

Post your skillset on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, and anyone in the world out there can hire you for a job.

Earning Potential: You can make as much money as you want as a freelancer (you set your own rates).

Requirements: You'll need to chalk out a plan, and pin down a particular skill that you want to utilize to offer freelancing services like content writing, social media marketing, website development, web research, and so on. Then you'll need to find a freelancing platform, create your profile, set up your rate, and start finding work. One skill that will really come in handy is your client communication skills.

Benefits: Enjoy the freedom that comes with the lifestyle, set your own hours and work from home, and take on multiple clients at once.

How to get started: Sign up at Upwork or Fiverr.

Freelancing is no joke. Learn how David makes $80k/month as a freelance writer.

10. List Your Spare Bedroom On Airbnb

If you have space available, you can rent it out on sites like Airbnb and Home Away for some extra cash!

Whether it’s a room, floor, or house - somebody out there will likely give you money to use it. You’ll have a steady stream of people who want your space - tourists and locals alike!

It also works on your availability; if you’re not comfortable with renting out your space that month - then don’t! If you’re going on holiday, rent out your room and enjoy some extra cash to splurge!

Earning Potential: Average $924 annually

Requirements: You will need a spare room that’s in good condition with proper electricity & water connection. It would be better if the space is close to a prime location like an airport or some public attraction.

How To Get Started: You can start by registering your room/house or even couch on sites like Airbnb.

Learn how this couple makes over $250k/month with their vacation rentals business

11. Sell Your Stuff Online

If you're looking for one of the easiest ways to make quick money in Austin, then it's by selling your things. Whether it's through eBay or Craigslist, sell off the things you don't need anymore and watch that dough stack up!

Potential: Depends on the items you sell

Benefits: Make extra cash while getting rid of things you don't need anymore, free up space in your house.

How to get started: You can start by setting up accounts on eBay and listing the items you want to sell.

Learn how Adam makes $10K/month selling sports cards on eBay.

FAQs

How Making Extra Money Can Be Beneficial?

Here's how you can reap benefits from earning supplementary income.

Pay off debts: Extra income can help pay your debts and even profit if you make good money from your side hustle.
Paying for college: Supplementary sources of income every month play a massive role in earning large sums to pay off college debts!
Pay cash for purchases: You don't have to constantly swipe your credit card when you've got that side-hustle cash!

Endnotes

Whether you're organizing a stranger's home or taking their dog for a walk, everybody needs a side hustle that can give them some extra spending money. Austin may not be as expensive as New York, but living doesn't come cheap. Besides, who has ever said no to some extra money?

Traveling around Texas and looking for extra income in other cities? Check:

Not looking for extra income, but rather a better job? Find a new job in Austin:

Resources:

meet the author

Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

See full profile