It’s a sunny Saturday at the Domain, and clusters of teenagers spill out of trendy boutiques and buzzing cafes. Shopping bags swing from their wrists like status symbols, with colorful Starbucks drinks in hand as they laugh and pose for an Instagram post. For many Austin teens, this kind of hangout is tied to spending — something not all can afford. In a city known for “keeping it weird,” Austin’s teen scene has become increasingly intertwined with consumerism and social visibility, and spending time with friends often comes with a price tag.
As shopping centers like the Domain or South Congress become the weekend norm, the line between social life and spending can blur. For some, these complexes are a casual routine, but for others, it highlights an economic divide. The culture of consumerism in Austin has made fitting in feel increasingly focused on material trends, where friendship and a sense of belonging are tied to what’s on social media and in your wallet.
“With [social media trends like] Labubus and Crumbl Cookies, my friends got them for so much money, and deep down, I don’t know if they actually like them or if it’s just to show they follow trends,” Max Lim ‘29 said. “For another example, my friend bought six Labubus, and the first thing he did was show them off because a lot of people nowadays need to post and show it off on social media to validate their purchase.”
For many Austin teens, these spending habits have created subtle yet significant social divisions. Those who can afford to constantly shop, eat out, and attend popular events are part of the “in crowd,” while others feel left behind or left out entirely. Money, or the lack of it, can quietly determine who gets invited, who participates, and who feels like they belong. The social gap may not always be visible, but it can shape how confident or comfortable teens feel around others.
“When people fall into the idea that they need a certain thing, it can cause problems in the friend group because there’s always different financial statuses,” Henry Guyton ‘28 said. “It does really affect group dynamics. When you can’t afford to do a specific hangout, it sort of ruins how your friends can think of you or at least how you think that your friends think of you. When you’re broke but your friends aren’t, you might feel pressured to spend even if it’s bad for you economically or you might feel like you just shouldn’t go. Then, you just feel bad because you probably have FOMO [fear of missing out].”
Social media only amplifies this pressure. Influencers and peers showcase new clothes, concert tickets, and fancy dinners online, shaping what feels normal to buy. Teens are almost constantly exposed to posts showcasing spending, travel, and event attendance, fostering the belief that such purchases are not merely desirable, but expected. Even when Austin youth know the content is curated and algorithmic, it still sets a seemingly out-of-reach standard. The endless feeds of luxury and leisure can make ordinary experiences seem less worthy of posting, creating pressure to keep up online.
“I’ve regretted buying things because they were a trend and I just fell under a trendy influence,” Lina Saad ‘28 said. “I think social media definitely plays a big part in influencing clothing and brands, like the PR [public relations package] hauls. When I watch those videos, it’s hard not to want to buy the same things. It’s hard to tell if you actually want to buy something or if you just feel like if you don’t, you feel like you won’t fit in your friend group or fit in with the teens in general.”
This mindset specifically impacts Austin youth. As a prominent cultural hub, Austin hosts major events like Austin City Limits (ACL), South by Southwest, Formula 1, and Moody Center concerts, contributing to the city’s reputation for arts and entertainment. However, these events can also blur the line between culture and consumerism. ACL normalizes spending as much as $313 on a single day pass, and the flood of Instagram posts during the festival creates the impression that skipping it is akin to missing a rite of passage. For some Austinites, what began as a celebration of music has evolved into a costly cultural expectation — something teens feel pressured to attend simply to prove they were part of it. To some students, attending events like ACL isn’t about the performances, but about staying socially relevant and having another photo opportunity for Instagram. Those who cannot afford it may feel disconnected from their peers during the city’s most publicized weekends.
“If you don’t go to ACL as a teenager, everyone just asks why,” Aditi Kodali ‘27 said. “Nobody even thinks about money and that buying a $300 ticket isn’t amazing for everyone. We live in a major city, so everyone wants to drive everywhere and buy [lots of things], and they usually end up being pretty expensive. Our city is definitely very expensive.”
Over the past five or so years, teen hangouts in Austin have noticeably shifted. What once centered around low-cost, laid-back activities like walking through parks or exploring trails has increasingly shifted to spaces tied to spending. From trendy cafes to shopping districts, these spots have become the most popular places to hang out at, even though not every student feels comfortable keeping up with the cost. As a result, some teens are pushing back and choosing to connect with friends in simpler ways. Even if activities like walks around Zilker Park or lake days are less common, they redefine ways to have fun by focusing on genuine experiences.
“[Austin has made it harder to hang out cheaply] because a lot of the mainstream things people talk about, like the Domain, obviously come with a cost,” Beck Borkowski ‘28 said. “There are still good free options, like going to public parks, but they’re not seen as popular. I’d like to see low-cost options be normalized.”
For a city known for creativity and individuality, Austin’s teen culture faces a rising contradiction: the pressure to stand out while fitting in. As hangouts and social trends become increasingly linked to a price tag, the divide between those who can afford to participate and those who can’t continues to deepen. Yet within this challenge lies a chance for reflection, as the voices of Austin teens reveal a shared awareness of how consumerism shapes their social lives — and a desire to redefine what belonging means. Whether through alternative gatherings or mindful spending, many are realizing that fitting in shouldn’t come with a cost. Austin youth combat consumerism by attending free events or purchasing thrifted fashion, proving that connection doesn’t have to come with a price.
“I think people are starting to see that it’s not about how much you spend, but who you’re with,” Ava Saberi ‘27 said. “My favorite memories come from those that don’t cost anything, like laughing with my friends or going to Lady Bird Lake with my family.”
