LRG Realty · Travis County

Homes for Sale in Austin, TX

Austin is the state capital and one of the fastest-growing metros in the U.S., with nearly 1 million residents in the city and 1.3 million across Travis County. The tech sector (Tesla, Samsung, Apple, Google, Meta), the University of Texas, and state government drive the economy. Median home sale prices near $530K reflect a premium over San Antonio and Killeen, but Austin’s income levels ($91K median household) and job growth continue to attract buyers from both coasts.

Talk to an LRG Agent About Austin
Market Data

Austin Market Snapshot

$530K
Median Price
59
Days on Market
5,790
Active Listings
$308
Per Sq Ft
$1,636
Median Rent

Source: Redfin (sale price, DOM, sqft); RentCafe (rent). Snapshot data; verify before making purchase decisions.

Census ACS 5-Year

Austin Demographics

Population, income, and housing tenure for the city and surrounding Travis County.

Housing Tenure & Population
Owner-occupiedRenter-occupied
City vs County
  • Population967,862 / 1,310,000
  • Median household income$91,461 / $97,169
  • Median home value$487,600 / $487,600
  • Median age34 yrs
  • Population growth (2022–23)4.0%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019–2023).

Drive Times

Austin Commute Times

Approximate driving times from central Austin. Peak times reflect weekday morning/evening commutes.

DestinationDistanceOff-PeakRush Hour
Downtown AustinVaries by neighborhood10–25 min20–45 min
Tesla Giga Texas (SE Austin)~15 mi from downtown15–20 min25–40 min
Samsung Taylor~35 mi NE35–40 min45–60 min
Apple / Domain area~10 mi N of downtown15 min25–35 min
Austin-Bergstrom Airport (ABIA)~8 mi SE of downtown12–15 min20–30 min
San Antonio (via I-35)~80 mi70–80 min90–120 min
Approximate driving distances and times. Actual times vary by origin neighborhood, route, traffic, and conditions. I-35 congestion significantly impacts north-south commutes.
Buyer Briefing

Austin at a Glance

Tech economy anchor
Tesla, Samsung, Apple, Google, Meta, Oracle, and dozens of startups drive Austin’s job market. The tech sector fuels high household incomes ($91K median) and sustained housing demand.
Higher price point
Median sale prices near $530K make Austin the most expensive of the three LRG metro markets. Prices range from $300K in far-east and far-south corridors to $1M+ in Westlake, Tarrytown, and central Austin.
University & government
UT Austin (51,000 students) and the Texas State Capitol anchor the central-city economy. State government employment provides a stable counterweight to tech-sector volatility.
Suburban sprawl corridor
Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, and Buda offer more affordable options ($350K–$500K) with newer construction and Williamson/Hays County school districts.
Property taxes
Travis County’s combined effective rate ranges from 1.8% to 2.3% depending on city and school district. Austin ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Pflugerville ISD each set different rates. Texas has no state income tax.
Closing costs
Buyers in Travis County typically pay 2% to 4% of the purchase price in closing costs. Title insurance, appraisal, survey, and lender fees are the main components.
Sources: Travis Central Appraisal District, Austin Chamber of Commerce, UT Austin enrollment data.
Costs & Timeline

What It Costs to Buy in Austin

Median sale price
$530,000 as of April 2026 (3-month trailing median). Prices range from under $350K in far-east Del Valle and Manor to $1M+ in Westlake Hills, Tarrytown, and Barton Creek.
Price per square foot
$308 per square foot median. Central Austin and Zilker exceed $400/sqft. East Austin runs $250–$350/sqft. Suburban Round Rock and Pflugerville average $180–$220/sqft.
Property tax burden
Combined rates range from 1.8% to 2.3% of assessed value. On a $530K home in Austin ISD, expect roughly $10,600–$12,200 per year before homestead exemption. The $100K school homestead exemption provides meaningful relief.
HOA fees
Older central Austin neighborhoods generally have no HOA. Master-planned communities (Circle C, Avery Ranch, Steiner Ranch) charge $50–$200/month depending on amenities.
Down payment reality
At $530K median, a conventional 5% down payment is $26,500. VA loans (zero down) are available to eligible Veterans and military. FHA requires 3.5% ($18,550). Down payment assistance programs exist through the City of Austin and Texas state programs.
Rental comparison
Median rent is $1,636/month. A $530K purchase with 5% down (~6.5% rate) produces a payment near $3,800 including taxes and insurance. The buy-vs-rent gap is wider in Austin than in SA or Killeen.
Where to Look

Austin Neighborhoods

South Austin / 78704

Austin’s signature neighborhood corridor. Bouldin Creek, Travis Heights, and South Congress offer walkability, local restaurants, and strong appreciation. Median prices $500K–$900K.

South Austin neighborhood guide →

Round Rock / Cedar Park

Suburban family corridors north of Austin with top-rated Williamson County schools (Round Rock ISD, Leander ISD). New construction from the mid-$300s. Strong tech-commuter base.

Round Rock guide → Talk to an agent →

East Austin

Austin’s fastest-appreciating corridor. Former industrial areas now feature new townhomes, condos, and mixed-use development. Prices $400K–$700K with strong upside potential.

East Austin guide → Talk to an agent →

Pflugerville / Hutto

Northeast suburban growth corridor with new master-planned communities from the low $300s. Pflugerville ISD and Hutto ISD. Strong first-time buyer market.

Pflugerville guide → Talk to an agent →

Westlake / Lakeway

Austin’s premier luxury corridor west of downtown. Eanes ISD (top-rated), Lake Austin access, and homes from $800K to $3M+. The highest price point in the metro.

Lakeway guide → Talk to an agent →

Buda / Kyle

Hays County growth cities south of Austin on I-35. Rapidly expanding with new construction from the mid-$200s. Hays CISD schools. Strong value play for Austin commuters.

Talk to an agent →
Education

Austin-Area Schools

The Austin metro is served by 10+ independent school districts. The district depends entirely on the property address.

DistrictTEA RatingApprox. EnrollmentNotable Areas Served
Austin ISDB~75,000Central, south, east Austin
Round Rock ISDA~48,000Round Rock, north Austin, Brushy Creek
Leander ISDA~42,000Cedar Park, Leander, NW Austin
Eanes ISDA~8,000Westlake Hills, Rollingwood
Pflugerville ISDB~26,000Pflugerville, NE Austin
Lake Travis ISDA~12,000Lakeway, Bee Cave, Lake Travis
Hays CISDB~22,000Buda, Kyle, south corridor
Del Valle ISDB~12,000SE Austin, Del Valle, near ABIA
TEA ratings and enrollment are approximate. Verify exact campus assignment by property address. District boundaries do not follow city limits—two houses on the same street can feed into different districts.
Common Questions

Austin Buyer FAQs

Is Austin a good place to buy a home in 2026?
Austin offers strong job growth, high household incomes, and a diverse economy anchored by tech, government, and education. The tradeoff is a higher price point than most Texas metros—median sale prices near $530K—and property taxes that partially offset the no-income-tax benefit. For buyers with stable tech or government income, Austin builds equity faster than renting at current rent levels.
What are the most affordable areas in Austin?
Far-east Austin (Del Valle, Manor), the I-35 south corridor (Buda, Kyle), and northeast suburbs (Pflugerville, Hutto) offer the lowest entry points, with homes from the low $300s. These areas trade commute time for price. Closer-in neighborhoods like East Austin and South Austin start in the $400s–$500s.
What school districts serve Austin?
Austin has 10+ independent school districts. Austin ISD (rated B) serves central Austin. Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD (both rated A) serve the north corridor. Eanes ISD (rated A) serves Westlake. The district depends on the property address, not the city name.
How do property taxes work in Austin?
Travis County’s combined effective rate ranges from 1.8% to 2.3%. On a $530K home in Austin ISD, expect $10,600–$12,200 per year before homestead exemption. The $100K school homestead exemption provides significant relief. Texas has no state income tax.
How far is Austin from San Antonio?
About 80 miles via I-35, 70–80 minutes off-peak. Rush hour through New Braunfels and San Marcos can push it to 90–120 minutes. The corridor between the two metros is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S.