Best suburbs in Austin chosen systematically on a variety of factors including median home values for mortgage considerations
The GI Bill of Rights, Ike’s interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Austin. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Austin.
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#14. Wells Branch, Texas
– Population: 13,941
– Median home value: $338,000
– Median rental price: $1,384
– Top schools nearby: Chaparral Star Academy (grade A+), BASIS Austin Primary (grade A), Pearson Ranch Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Austin Peace Academy (grade A+), St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A−
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: B
#13. Buda, Texas
– Population: 14,997
– Median home value: $358,600
– Median rental price: $1,648
– Top schools nearby: Bear Creek Elementary School (grade A), Valor South Austin (grade A−), University of Texas Elementary Charter School (grade A−)
– Top private schools nearby: Headwaters School (grade A+), Regents School of Austin (grade A+), Austin Waldorf School (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A−
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: B−
#12. Georgetown, Texas
– Population: 71,788
– Median home value: $361,700
– Median rental price: $1,575
– Top schools nearby: Meridian World School (grade A+), Chaparral Star Academy (grade A+), Monta Jane Akin El (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Brentwood Christian School (grade A+), Hill Country Christian School of Austin (grade A+), Round Rock Christian Academy (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: B+
#11. Hudson Bend, Texas
– Population: 3,672
– Median home value: $657,700
– Median rental price: $1,661
– Top schools nearby: Vandegrift High School (grade A+), Lake Travis High School (grade A), Canyon Ridge Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Hill Country Christian School of Austin (grade A+), Austin Tennis Academy College Prep (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: B
#10. Pflugerville, Texas
– Population: 64,528
– Median home value: $321,200
– Median rental price: $1,677
– Top schools nearby: Chaparral Star Academy (grade A+), BASIS Austin Primary (grade A), Pearson Ranch Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Austin Peace Academy (grade A+), Griffin School (grade A+), Brentwood Christian School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: B
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#9. Leander, Texas
– Population: 62,491
– Median home value: $412,000
– Median rental price: $1,802
– Top schools nearby: Chaparral Star Academy (grade A+), Monta Jane Akin El (grade A), Stiles Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Hill Country Christian School of Austin (grade A+), Round Rock Christian Academy (grade A), St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: B+
#8. Shady Hollow, Texas
– Population: 5,300
– Median home value: $550,500
– Median rental price: $2,184
– Top schools nearby: Liberal Arts & Science Academy (grade A+), Richards School for Young Women Leaders (grade A+), Bowie High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (grade A+), St. Gabriel’s + St. Michael’s Catholic School (grade A+), Headwaters School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: B
#7. The Hills, Texas
– Population: 2,505
– Median home value: $731,800
– Median rental price: $3,501
– Top schools nearby: Lake Travis High School (grade A), Bee Cave Middle School (grade A), Lakeway Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Gabriel’s + St. Michael’s Catholic School (grade A+), Austin Tennis Academy College Prep (grade A+), Austin Waldorf School (grade A)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: C+
#6. Bee Cave, Texas
– Population: 8,771
– Median home value: $627,200
– Median rental price: $1,787
– Top schools nearby: Sycamore Springs Elementary School (grade A+), Sycamore Springs Middle School (grade A), Lake Travis High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (grade A+), St. Gabriel’s + St. Michael’s Catholic School (grade A+), Regents School of Austin (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: B−
#5. Lakeway, Texas
– Population: 18,835
– Median home value: $636,700
– Median rental price: $2,563
– Top schools nearby: Lake Travis High School (grade A), Bee Cave Middle School (grade A), New Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (grade A+), St. Gabriel’s + St. Michael’s Catholic School (grade A+), Regents School of Austin (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: B−
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#4. Cedar Park, Texas
– Population: 76,344
– Median home value: $427,800
– Median rental price: $1,677
– Top schools nearby: Westwood High IB World School (grade A+), Vandegrift High School (grade A+), Round Rock High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (grade A+), St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Brentwood Christian School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: B+
#3. West Lake Hills, Texas
– Population: 3,360
– Median home value: $1,425,700
– Median rental price: $1,566
– Top schools nearby: Liberal Arts & Science Academy (grade A+), Westlake High School (grade A+), Eanes Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Austin Peace Academy (grade A+), St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: B
#2. Rollingwood, Texas
– Population: 1,514
– Median home value: $1,704,500
– Median rental price: $3,501
– Top schools nearby: Liberal Arts & Science Academy (grade A+), Westlake High School (grade A+), Eanes Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Austin Peace Academy (grade A+), St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: B+
#1. Brushy Creek, Texas
– Population: 22,282
– Median home value: $411,500
– Median rental price: $1,975
– Top schools nearby: Round Rock High School (grade A+), Chaparral Star Academy (grade A+), Monta Jane Akin El (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: St. Andrew’s Episcopal School (grade A+), Brentwood Christian School (grade A+), Hill Country Christian School of Austin (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: B+
— Cost of living grade: B
— Outdoor activities grade: B+
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
By Stacker
