Looking for the best neighborhoods in Austin, Texas? You’re in good hands. A handful of locals sat down to weigh the pros and cons of various Austin neighborhoods in the hopes of making your choice a bit easier.
Some important metrics we considered while crafting this list were top-notch restaurants, quaint cafes, access to parks and walkabililty. In doing so, we were able to come up with some of the best Austin neighborhoods for families, young professionals and retirees.
Hope you enjoy!
Best Neighborhoods in Austin, Texas
#10. Allandale
| Median Age | 37.7 years |
| Median Home Price | $850K |
| Median Household Income | $121,000 |
| Walkability | 3/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 5/10 |
| Transit | 4/10 |
A Best Neighborhood in Austin for: Families who enjoy a slower (and quieter) pace of life. Charming tree-lined streets to stroll, older homes with yards, plenty of kid-friendly activities and great restaurants.
Looking for access to great schools and a community of families with children? Allandale should be on your list of considerations.
Found in a quieter subset of the city, this Austin neighborhood isn’t big on the nightlife or big city amenities, rather thriving in the daytime by offering leisurely neighborhood strolls.
Quaint parks, shaded streets and family-friendly restaurants set a calm yet playful tone for residents.
The public school system serving this area is considered among the strongest in Texas, making this one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for families raising school-aged children.
The median home price of $851,000 is steep, but home come with ample square footage and large yards. Getting into town for errands or work is easy enough thanks to the proximity to the downtown core.
#9. Scofield Farms
| Median Age | 36 years |
| Median Home Price | $534,000 |
| Median Household Income | $91,000 |
| Walkability | 5/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 6/10 |
| Transit | 4/10 |
One of the best neighborhood in Austin for: Busy families and professionals, great schools, lots of parks to visit, good access to Round Rock area employers, accessible shopping and dining experiences.
Getting out and enjoying the ample Texas sunshine (and subsequent heat) is easy in Scofield Farms. Which — despite the misleading name — is not home to many farms.
Instead, this is a densely suburban neighborhood in Austin a stone’s throw from the city’s best parks and green spaces (like Walnut Creek Park).
Families love the never-ending list of activities that can be done without leaving the neighborhood. From great restaurants and local shops to lovely walking neighborhood walking trails.
Likewise, professionals consider it one of the best Austin neighborhoods thanks to the easy access to Round Rock’s major employers.
Locals gravitate to the area thanks to the shorter commute while enjoying more affordable housing for those looking to buy a home. In terms of rent, the average rent is $1,700 a month, which is similar to what you’ll pay in most neighborhoods in Austin.
Schools aren’t quite as great as those in Allandale, but they’re still in high demand when compared to other parts of the city.
#8. Mueller
| Median Age | 36 years |
| Median Home Price | $804,000 |
| Median Household Income | $93,000 |
| Walkability | 7/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 7/10 |
| Transit | 6/10 |
A Best Neighborhood in Austin for: Medical professionals, proximity to the Dell Children’s Medical Center, lots of parks and a top golf course, good walkability.
With median home prices of $804,000, Mueller is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Austin, but not without reason. Often considered one of the most scenic Austin neighborhoods, the largest draw is the walkability and thoughtful layout (it’s full of trees and green spaces!).
Mueller is a master-planned community, which means it was designed with the ideal resident experience in mind. Charming tree-lined streets with pedestrians in mind, bustling business corridors full of quaint cafes and local shops, you’ll never want for much while living here.
Mueller doesn’t have the top notch schools that the other neighborhoods in Austin boast, but this neighborhood is home to the Thinkery Children’s museum and a specialty children’s hospital, so it’s still worth considering for young families.
Locals love being able to access the Southwest Greenway for hiking, biking, and other outdoor recreation. The average monthly rent of $1,700 is the same as many other neighborhoods in Austin, despite the higher home sales price.
Making this a great option for those that want to enjoy living in Austin without the commitment of buying a home outright.
#7. South Congress
| Median Age | 33 years |
| Median Home Price | $523,000 |
| Median Household Income | $77,000 |
| Walkability | 9/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 7/10 |
| Transit | 7/10 |
A Best Neighborhood in Austin for: Am I allowed to say hipsters? If so, hipsters. Also plenty of nightlife options, exciting art galleries, networking events, food trucks, high walkability
I love the South Congress area of Austin because it’s trendy and hip without sacrificing the features that make it a great place to live.
You’ll spend an average of $523,000 for a home in the area, which is steep but understandable because this is one of the most walkable parts of Austin.
Food trucks crowd the streets on Friday and Saturday nights, giving you an ever-changing arrangement of dining options.
As the young median age might lead you to expect, there are quite a lot of renters vs. owners in this area. If helpful, the average rent is still higher than in other parts of Austin at $1,900 a month.
Many locals consider this one of the best neighborhoods in Austin to buy a home because demand is on the rise.
However, those with young children may want to consider moving elsewhere because schools don’t rank as highly. But for younger residents who aren’t starting a family just yet, South Congress is definitely a contender.
#6. East Austin
| Median Age | 34 years |
| Median Home Price | $637,000 |
| Median Household Income | $76,000 |
| Walkability | 9/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 6/10 |
| Transit | 8/10 |
A Best Neighborhood in Austin for: First-time homeowners seeking a quiet well-established area, a mix of homes of all types and ages, some of Austin’s best museums and restaurants.
The eastern part of the city is full of fun neighborhoods, but the undeniable gem is East Austin.
The average home price of $637,000 is surprisingly not outlandish when compared to many other hot areas in town. The biggest allure are the stunning bungalows and sleek modern condos, ensuring everyone a beautiful place to call home.
Locals love the lively cocktail bars and ample restaurant options. Don’t sleep on the southern-inspired fare and BBQ options on offer.
Another big draw of the neighborhood are the culture institutions like the Texas Music Museum or French Legation Museum, which chronicles the history of the Republic of Texas.
With a slightly lower household income than other parts of the city, it’s surprising East Austin has an average monthly rent as high as $2,000.
Buying into the East Austin area gives you access to great barbecue, some of the top Tex-Mex in the city, and a highly walkable neighborhood so you can connect with neighbors without much effort.
Dog lovers will quickly learn that East Austin is one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for dog owners. Home to the city’s most dog-welcoming restaurants and bars, you’ll seldom need to leave your four-legged friends at home.
#5. North Loop
| Median Age | 29 years |
| Median Home Price | $579,000 |
| Median Household Income | $93,000 |
| Walkability | 6/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 7/10 |
| Transit | 7/10 |
A Best Neighborhood in Austin for: Career-focused professionals (networking), proximity to the University of Texas, walkable layout.
Despite the young median age for the area, North Loop is not the most hip neighborhood known for nightlife. Instead, it’s a creative and cool place that’s quiet and safe at night.
Full of modest single-family homes built during the construction boom of World War II, the neighborhood is known for its charm and walkability.
The North Loop Boulevard is home to an array of local shops (antique stores, bookshops, etc) and quaint cafes. It’s also the one of the hubs of Austin’s incredible food and bar scene.
The median home price of $579,000 is rather low, considering this is one of the best neighborhoods in Austin, Texas. However, home prices have been on a steady uphill trajectory, so who knows where they’ll land a few years from now.
#4. Brentwood
| Median Age | 36 years |
| Median Home Price | $689,000 |
| Median Household Income | $111,000 |
| Walkability | 6/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 8/10 |
| Transit | 8/10 |
A Best Neighborhood in Austin for: First-time homeowners (rising home values with good investment opportunities), proximity to parks, good dining and nightlife options.
No list of the best places to live in Austin is complete without mentioning Brentwood. As to be expected, home prices are on the higher side (averaging $689,000) but folks are willing to pay handsomely for the pleasure of calling this place home.
Pretty well-kept homes with stunning yards line the streets, which swell with bikers during commuting hours.
Boasting an incredibly low crime rate, younger homeowners, whether they’re starting families or focusing on their careers, will appreciate the liveliness and safety of this neighborhood.
Any way you slice it, Brentwood is certainly one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for anyone interested in committing to the city long term.
#3. Tarrytown
| Median Age | 38 years |
| Median Home Price | $2.6 million |
| Median Household Income | $197,000 |
| Walkability | 7/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 9/10 |
| Transit | 7/10 |
A Best Neighborhood in Austin for: Wealthy professionals looking for luxury, beautiful nature preserves, iconic homes with style, very safe neighborhood
Let’s address the elephant in the room. With median home prices clocking in at a steep $2.6 million, Tarrytown isn’t even in the same timezone as affordable.
However, for those who can afford it, the luxurious experience of living in one of the best neighborhoods in Austin is well worthwhile. Daily errands take on a special feel when you find yourself rubbing elbows with free-roaming peacocks strutting down picturesque streets.
Drop in at Lions Golf Club for a relaxing afternoon or make a date to visit the contemporary art museum housed in an Italian-style villa. Each house that comes up for sale is more glamorous than the last.
You simply can’t beat the beautiful scenery in Tarrytown, but it’s also surprisingly walkable and well-connected to Austin’s transit options.
Easy access to the biggest employers in the city makes this a great area for those that hate long commutes. Yet you’ll feel like you’re not in the city at all when you visit the 21-acre Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve.
If money isn’t an issue (way to go, you!) you’ll easily consider Tarrytown one of the best places to live in Austin.
#2. Hyde Park
| Median Age | 29 years |
| Median Home Price | $849,000 |
| Median Household Income | $93,000 |
| Walkability | 8/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 8/10 |
| Transit | 8/10 |
A Best Neighborhood in Austin for: University of Texas students and employees, good access to downtown’s amenities, quaint and slightly old-fashioned, iconic architecture, cafes and coffee shops abound
As the younger median age suggests, this area is popular among graduate students and employees at the University of Texas.
It has plenty of transit options to get you back and forth to the campus, greatly reducing the need for a car.
Rent prices of around $1,800 put it in line with many other popular parts of the city. If you prefer cafes and coffee shops to bars, and look forward to farmer’s markets on the weekends, this is a great neighbo
rhood for you. I always make a point to stop in and admire the Craftsman and Victorian architecture that line the quiet streets. Homes have a median price of $849,000, which is steep but fair when considering homes in such close proximity to the university.
For a perfect balance of walkability and good access to freeways and the Mopac Expressway, I recommend Hyde Park to almost anyone looking for the best places to live in Austin.
I really think it has a charm and classic old-fashioned style that makes it unique among the many great parts of the city.
#1. Clarksville
| Median Age | 36 years |
| Median Home Price | $1.9 million |
| Median Household Income | $127,000 |
| Walkability | 9/10 |
| Scenic Beauty & Parks | 8/10 |
| Transit | 7/10 |
A Best Neighborhood in Austin for: High-income earners, proximity to downtown, great layout for walking, lots of history, eclectic and artistic flair.
When it comes to the best places to live in Austin, Clarksville takes the cake. Balancing the historic side of the city with an endearing artistic youthfulness, this neighborhood has a charm few can resist.
Mixed-use developments offer access to retail and office space near modern condos and apartments. But I don’t want to fool you, living in the best neighborhood in Austin won’t come cheap.
The median home price of $1.9 million makes this one of the most expensive places to live in Austin.
The average rent of $2,800 matches the rates in many high-end areas of the city.
Some argue that the steep price tag is justified by the access to the city’s best dining and bar scene. Likewise, having access to great public and private schools makes this an area popular with growing families as well.
Keep in mind that many homes here are historic and there’s a strong neighborhood association to ensure they’re renovated in ways that preserve their natural character.
If you’re looking for a drastic modern redesign, you may have to look elsewhere or find a rare opportunity for a new build.
List of the Best Places to Live in Austin Texas (Post Summary)
In sum, here’s a list of the best places to live in Austin, Texas.
- Clarksville
- Hyde Park
- Tarrytown
- Brentwood
- North Loop
- East Austin
- South Congress
- Mueller
- Scofield Farms
- Allandale
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