AUSTIN, Texas — When it comes to the day of love, one Texas city outshines the rest. In a study by WalletHub, Austin landed in the top 20 best cities to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The capital city took the No. 12 spot on WalletHub’s list of the 100 largest U.S. cities. Each one was ranked based on budget, activities, gift accessibility and weather forecast.

Cities were also judged on more specific metrics, including the most affordable cities to get a three-course dinner for two. Texas dominated the list with two cities in the top 5 — Garland at No. 2 and Plano at No. 5. On the other end of that, a few Texas cities landed in the bottom for having the least amount of florists and chocolate shops per capita.

According to WalletHub, Americans are expected to spend $29.1 billion on gifts for that special someone this year, with the average person dropping $200 for the holiday. But having a memorable day doesn’t have to break the bank.

WalletHub has these tips for those who are looking for cost-effective ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day:

• Planning a homemade dinner date
• Giving personalized DIY gifts
• Exploring free or low-cost activities like picnics in the park, nature walks or stargazing
• Setting a budget and sticking to it
• Planning ahead for discounts and deals

“It’s common to spoil your partner on Valentine’s Day, but inflation can certainly put a damper on those plans. Fortunately, the best cities for Valentine’s Day offer a wide variety of affordable date activities, food options and places to buy gifts, so you can show that you care without breaking the bank. It’s never a good idea to go into debt just to enjoy a holiday or give a gift,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

In a Monday evening X post, Austin police warned organizers against carrying out an “illegal public street takeover” called ATX vs. ICE.

“We are aware of a potential illegal public street takeover ‘ATX vs. ICE’ today, Feb. 6, and tomorrow, Feb. 7, 2026,” the post reads. “Austin Police Department will not tolerate reckless driving or illegal activity.”

Street takeovers are meetups where car enthusiasts perform tricks and stunts on public roadways. They are illegal and can result in property damage and spectators getting hurt.

The issue touched Austin back in February 2023, whena series of street takeover incidents in West Austin sparked outrage from then-Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon, Texas DPS Director Steve McCraw, and Travis County District Attorney José Garza. Seventeen individuals were arrested.

The post continues, “Anyone participating in a street takeover will be subject to arrest, and their vehicle will be impounded.”

Last summer, Austin police put out a similar bulletin warning organizers against holding another planned street takeover, promising to punish any reckless driving. The event didn’t end up happening, but it’s not clear whether that was a direct result of the police bulletin.

Organizers generally promote the events with catchy, pop culture-fueled titles. “ATX vs. ICE” appears to be a reference to the ongoing conversation about APD’s coordination with federal immigration officials. Earlier this week, Austin ISD students joined regional walkouts protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions.

As for non-participating community members, APD has a message for them too. “We urge community members to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity,” the post concludes. “Help us keep our streets safe.”

AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s housing market is proving that what goes up must come down. What was once one of the most booming cities in the U.S. has now slowed to a halt when it comes to real estate, according to a new study.

Real estate site Redfin named Austin the slowest market among 50 of the most populous metropolitan areas, comparing data from December 2024 to 2025. It’s a sharp drop from where the market stood during the COVID-19 pandemic, when out-of-state buyers were moving to the city in droves to scoop up real estate.

According to the study, Austin experienced the third biggest decline in home prices among major metro areas, with prices falling 4% in the studied timeframe. The city also had 128% more sellers than buyers in that time, the largest imbalance among the top 50 metros.

The typical Austin home took 106 days to sell on average, a 91-day increase from 2024. Redfin calls it the slowest December since 2012, with national average home sales taking place within 60 days in comparison.

Redfin attributes the market fall to unsustainable price growth in recent years and a homebuilding boom, leaving the city with more renters than buyers.

It’s not all bad news, though. The drop in home sales means those currently looking to buy in Austin have more freedom to bargain and take their time to browse options and get the best price.

“I have a buyer who just offered $560,000 for a home that was listed at $599,000 and a few years ago would’ve been worth $700,000. There’s a pretty good chance the seller will say yes given how slow the market is. Another buyer I’m working with also made an offer on a house for below the list price and plans to bid on a different home if the seller doesn’t accept,” said local Redfin Premier real estate agent Andrew Vallejo.

In the meantime, Vallejo says many prospective buyers in Austin plan to continue renting until mortgage rates fall to 5% or lower.