In the span of just five years, Austin, Texas has gone from a quirky music town to the unlikely center of the stand-up comedy universe. The shift started when Joe Rogan announced his move from Los Angeles in 2020. Since then, a wave of A-list comedians has followed suit. They bought lakefront homes, built podcast studios, and opened comedy clubs. The result is a thriving comedy ecosystem that rivals anything on the coasts.
This article breaks down exactly which famous comedians moved to Austin, why they left Hollywood behind, and what it means for the future of stand-up comedy. Every fact here is based on widely reported, verified information.
Quick Facts: The Austin Comedy Boom
Zero state income tax: Texas charges no state income tax. California’s top rate is 13.3%. For a comedian earning $10 million per year, that saves over $1 million annually.
Comedy Mothership opened: March 2023, at 320 E. Sixth Street in the historic Ritz Theater. Owned by Joe Rogan. Open seven days a week.
Kill Tony films weekly: Every Monday at Comedy Mothership. The show signed a multiyear deal with Fox’s Red Seat Ventures in April 2026.
20+ comedy venues: Austin now hosts over 20 active comedy stages. In the 2010s, the city had only two or three.
Lake Austin celebrity corridor: Multiple comedians own waterfront homes on Lake Austin, including Joe Rogan ($14.4 million) and Tom Segura ($6.5 million).
Why Are Comedians Moving to Austin, TX?
The reasons boil down to money, space, and creative freedom. Texas has no state income tax. California takes up to 13.3%. New York takes up to 10.9%. For top earners like Rogan or Segura, the savings run into millions of dollars each year.
Austin also offers more square footage for less money. Joe Rogan paid $14.4 million for an 11,000-square-foot lakefront estate with three private boat docks. That same property in Los Angeles would cost significantly more.
Creative freedom plays a role too. Several comedians have said they feel less restricted performing in Austin. The Hollywood Reporter described Comedy Mothership as Rogan’s “anti-cancel culture club.” That reputation has drawn comics who want to test edgy material without industry gatekeeping.
The pandemic accelerated the timeline. Texas reopened businesses earlier than California during COVID-19. Podcasters could work from anywhere, and many chose Austin for its central U.S. location and growing tech economy.
8 Famous Comedians Who Have Relocated to Austin
1. Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan, host of The Joe Rogan Experience and owner of Comedy Mothership in Austin, TX
Joe Rogan started the exodus. In July 2020, he announced he was leaving Los Angeles for Texas. He cited overcrowding, high taxes, and a desire for more personal freedom. By September 2020, he purchased a $14.4 million lakefront estate on Lake Austin. The property spans roughly 11,000 square feet with eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, a custom podcast studio, an infinity pool, and three private boat docks.
Rogan also owns Comedy Mothership, which opened in March 2023 inside the historic Ritz Theater on East Sixth Street. The club operates seven days a week and hosts Kill Tony every Monday. In 2024, Rogan renewed his Spotify deal for a reported $250 million. As of 2025, his podcast returned to multi-platform distribution across YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
2. Tom Segura & Christina P.
Tom Segura | Christina Pazsitzky
Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky announced their move to Austin in February 2021 on their Your Mom’s House podcast. They sold their Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles and purchased a $6.5 million Prairie-style home on Lake Austin. The 6,230-square-foot lakefront property was built in 2019 and features five bedrooms and seven bathrooms.
Their YMH Studios relocated from Los Angeles to Austin in late 2021. The studio produces Your Mom’s House, Christina P.’s podcast, and Segura’s solo shows. In 2025, YMH Studios partnered with the Austin Film Festival to create the YMH Studios Comedy Fellowship, further embedding the couple in Austin’s creative community.
3. Tony Hinchcliffe
Tony Hinchcliffe, host of Kill Tony, now filming weekly at Comedy Mothership in Austin
Tony Hinchcliffe moved his Kill Tony show from The Comedy Store in Los Angeles to Austin in January 2021. The show recorded its first Austin episode at Antone’s Nightclub before finding a permanent home at Comedy Mothership. Hinchcliffe made the move to Austin just as Kill Tony was becoming the number one live podcast in the world.
Hinchcliffe’s profile has grown significantly since the move. Netflix released two Kill Tony specials: “Kill or Be Killed” in 2025 and “Once Upon a Time in Texas” in January 2026. In April 2026, Kill Tony signed a multiyear deal with Fox’s Red Seat Ventures for expanded distribution across Fox’s streaming platforms.
4. Tim Dillon
Tim Dillon, comedian and podcast host who purchased a home in the Texas Hill Country
Tim Dillon bought a Texas Hill Country property during the comedy migration wave. He discussed house hunting in the Austin area on multiple podcast episodes. However, Dillon’s relationship with Austin has been complicated. He has publicly criticized the city, saying it is not a good place for comedy, and eventually returned to Los Angeles. He later purchased a $4.6 million home in the Hollywood Hills.
Despite not staying full time, Dillon’s brief Austin chapter illustrates a broader pattern. Not every comedian who moves to Austin stays. The city offers real financial benefits, but some find the scene still cannot match the density of opportunities in Los Angeles or New York.
5. Brian Redban
Brian Redban, co-owner of Sunset Strip Comedy Club in Austin, TX
Brian Redban is a foundational figure in the Austin comedy scene. As the original producer and co-host of The Joe Rogan Experience, and co-host of Kill Tony, Redban established himself in Austin as part of the broader comedy exodus. He co-owns the Sunset Strip Comedy Club on Sixth Street, which opened in April 2023. The club has been described as an “80s comedy revival” venue.
Redban also runs the DeathSquad Secret Show, a Thursday night showcase that has become one of Austin’s most popular underground comedy events. His venues and shows provide crucial stage time for working comedians in the Austin ecosystem.
6. Ron White
Ron White, Blue Collar Comedy Tour member and longtime Austin resident
Ron White is a Texas native who has called Austin home since the early 1970s. He is a charter member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, a Grammy-nominated performer, and a New York Times bestselling author. White has been a regular presence at Austin comedy events, including the Moontower Comedy Festival.
White headlined the launch of Comedy Mothership and appears frequently as a guest on Kill Tony. He is known for genuinely engaging with and critiquing the amateur comedians who perform on the show, making him a beloved figure in the Austin comedy community.
7. Shane Gillis
Shane Gillis, SNL alum and co-host of Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast
Shane Gillis moved to Austin in 2023 and was seen living there through late 2025. He cited the lack of state income tax as a primary reason for the move. Gillis co-hosts “Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast” with Matt McCusker, and his Netflix specials have made him one of the most recognized names in stand-up.
However, there is ongoing debate about whether Gillis will stay in Austin permanently. Some reports suggest he may not remain long term. His situation reflects a larger trend: Austin attracts comedians with financial incentives, but some eventually return to the coasts for career opportunities.
8. Andrew Dismukes
Andrew Dismukes, Saturday Night Live featured player based in Austin, TX
Andrew Dismukes, a featured player on Saturday Night Live, lives in Austin and represents a different path into the city’s comedy scene. Unlike the podcasters and touring headliners, Dismukes is a working comedian who commutes to New York for SNL while maintaining his home base in Texas. His presence shows that Austin’s appeal extends beyond independent creators to established entertainment industry figures.
Comedy Mothership: The Club That Changed Everything
Comedy Mothership is the anchor of Austin’s new comedy ecosystem. Joe Rogan spent roughly two and a half years developing the club before its opening night on March 6, 2023. It launched just ahead of South by Southwest, instantly becoming a must-stop venue for touring comedians.
The club is housed in the historic Ritz Theater at 320 E. Sixth Street. It operates seven days a week, from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM. Monday nights belong to Kill Tony. Other nights feature a rotating cast of headliners, crew shows, and open mic events. The Atlantic published a major feature in October 2024 titled “How Joe Rogan Remade Austin,” documenting the club’s outsized influence on the city.
Other venues have followed. The Vulcan Gas Company at 418 E. Sixth Street offers a 658-person capacity space. The Sunset Strip Comedy Club, co-owned by Brian Redban, opened in April 2023 with an 80s comedy revival theme. Together, these venues form a dense comedy corridor on Sixth Street.
Will Austin Replace LA as the Comedy Capital?
Austin has clearly established itself as a major comedy hub. Over 20 active venues now operate across the city. The Moontower Comedy Festival, headlined in 2025 by Aziz Ansari and Pete Holmes, draws national attention. The city’s comedy infrastructure has grown faster than any other market in the United States.
However, replacing Los Angeles entirely is unlikely. LA still holds advantages in film, television, and live touring infrastructure. Many comedians maintain dual residences, keeping homes in Austin while traveling for work. Tim Dillon, Shane Gillis, and others have already shown that Austin is not a permanent destination for everyone.
What is clear is that Austin is no longer a secondary market. The combination of financial incentives, purpose-built venues, and a critical mass of talent has created a self-sustaining comedy scene. Whether or not it ever surpasses LA, the Austin comedy scene is here to stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joe Rogan move to Austin?
Rogan moved in 2020 citing California’s high taxes, overcrowding, and COVID-19 restrictions. He purchased a $14.4 million lakefront estate and opened Comedy Mothership in 2023.
What is Comedy Mothership?
A comedy club at 320 E. Sixth Street in Austin, owned by Joe Rogan. It opened in March 2023 and hosts Kill Tony every Monday along with nightly stand-up shows.
Who else lives in Austin?
Tom Segura, Christina P., Tony Hinchcliffe, Brian Redban, Ron White, Shane Gillis, and Andrew Dismukes have all lived in Austin full or part time since 2020.
How much money do comedians save in Texas?
Texas has no state income tax. California’s top rate is 13.3%. A comedian earning $10 million per year saves over $1.3 million annually by living in Texas.
Is the Austin comedy scene still growing?
Yes. As of 2026, Austin hosts over 20 active comedy venues. New clubs continue to open, and touring comedians increasingly add Austin to their schedules.
