Tarrytown is one of Austin’s most established and expensive residential neighborhoods, stretching along the north shore of Lady Bird Lake between MoPac and downtown. Homes range from $800K for smaller mid-century ranches to over $2M for estate properties on the lake. The median home price sits around $2 million, placing it in the top 0.3% of Texas neighborhoods. Most housing stock dates from the 1940s through 1970s, with mature tree canopy, lake trail access, and Zilker Park proximity that no other central Austin neighborhood can replicate.
Central Austin’s irreplaceable luxury address
Tarrytown occupies the north shore of Lady Bird Lake in ZIP 78703, roughly 5 minutes from downtown Austin. The neighborhood represents one of the most affluent residential areas in Texas, with a median home price around $2 million and 90.6% of residents holding bachelor’s degrees. Most properties are owner-occupied, and 38.6% of residents work from home, reflecting the professional, established character of the community.
What makes Tarrytown irreplaceable is the combination of Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail access, Zilker Park proximity, mature tree canopy, and walkable distance to downtown that no other central Austin neighborhood can match at this scale. The housing stock dates primarily from the 1940s through 1970s, with significant new construction on teardown lots pushing into the $2M+ range. 51% of commuters spend under 15 minutes traveling to work.
- Top 0.3% in Texas: Median price around $2M places Tarrytown among the most expensive neighborhoods in the state.
- Lake and Zilker access: Lady Bird Lake trail and Zilker Park are walking distance. No other central neighborhood offers this combination.
- Established, high-earning community: 90.6% hold bachelor’s degrees, 69.6% in professional occupations, 75.9% married. Stable, long-tenure residents.
- 39% work from home: Remote work concentration is among the highest in Austin, reflecting the professional demographic.
Tarrytown at a glance
What $800K to $2M+ buys in central Austin
Tarrytown’s housing stock splits into two eras. The original homes built between the 1940s and 1970s include mid-century ranches, Cape Cods, and traditional colonials on tree-lined lots. These start around $800K for smaller, unrenovated properties and run into the $1.2M-$1.5M range for updated homes. New construction on teardown lots pushes well past $2M, with modern designs replacing older homes while preserving the lot’s mature oak canopy where possible.
The tradeoff is age and condition. Older Tarrytown homes carry the inspection findings that come with 1950s-era construction: foundation movement, outdated plumbing, original electrical, and deferred maintenance behind cosmetic updates. Renovation costs on a mid-century Tarrytown home routinely add $100K-$300K to the purchase price. Buyers who accept that are buying the location and the lot, not just the house.
- Original homes ($800K-$1.5M): 1940s-1970s construction. Character and mature trees, but inspection findings and renovation costs are real.
- New construction ($1.5M-$2M+): Modern builds on teardown lots. Turn-key but premium pricing for the central location.
- Renovation budget is part of the price: Plan $100K-$300K on top of purchase for older homes. The house is often secondary to the lot and location.
- Lot value holds regardless: Even during market corrections, Tarrytown lots near the lake retain value because the location is irreplaceable.
Where to focus inside Tarrytown
Tarrytown’s most desirable blocks run along the lake between MoPac and Exposition Boulevard, where homes offer direct access to the hike-and-bike trail and views of Lady Bird Lake. The interior blocks between Windsor Road and 35th Street are quieter and more residential, with larger lots and deeper setbacks. The western edge near MoPac borders Eanes ISD territory, which is critical for families because Eanes is the highest-rated district in the Austin metro.
Casis Elementary and Casis Village shopping center anchor the neighborhood’s family infrastructure. The blocks closest to Casis Elementary carry a school-driven premium. Tarrytown’s northern edge blends into Bryker Woods and Old West Austin, where lot sizes shrink slightly but the walkable character continues toward the UT campus area.
- Lake-adjacent blocks: Highest prices, direct trail access, Lady Bird Lake views. The most irreplaceable addresses in Austin.
- Interior residential blocks: Quieter streets, larger lots, mature canopy. Strong family feel without the lake premium.
- Western edge (Eanes ISD border): Some addresses feed into Eanes ISD rather than AISD. Verify district boundaries at the property level.
- Casis Elementary zone: School-driven premium for families. Casis Village provides walkable neighborhood retail.
AISD and Eanes ISD share the boundary
Most of Tarrytown falls within Austin ISD, with Casis Elementary as the primary feeder. However, some western Tarrytown addresses near MoPac cross into Eanes ISD, the highest-rated public school district in the Austin metro. That boundary line is one of the most consequential details in any Tarrytown purchase, since the school district directly affects both the daily family experience and the resale premium.
Buyers who specifically want Eanes ISD should verify the boundary at the property level before making an offer. The line does not follow obvious street boundaries. An AISD home and an Eanes ISD home can sit on the same block with dramatically different school assignments and correspondingly different resale profiles.
- Eanes ISD is the highest-rated in metro: Addresses that feed into Eanes carry a premium for both families and resale.
- AISD/Casis Elementary: The primary feeder for most Tarrytown homes. Casis is well-regarded within AISD.
- Boundary verification is critical: AISD and Eanes ISD share the western Tarrytown boundary. Confirm at the property level.
- Private school proximity: St. Andrew’s, Austin Waldorf, and other private options are nearby for families wanting alternatives.
Five minutes from downtown, walking distance to the lake
Tarrytown is roughly 5 minutes from downtown Austin, with MoPac providing north-south highway access and Lake Austin Boulevard connecting to the western waterfront. 51% of Tarrytown residents commute under 15 minutes, one of the shortest average commutes in the metro. Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail is accessible on foot from most Tarrytown homes, and Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool, and the Zilker Botanical Garden are all within a short drive or bike ride.
The daily life advantage goes beyond the commute. Casis Village and the Exposition Boulevard corridor handle neighborhood retail. Whole Foods flagship on Lamar is a short drive. Weekend life revolves around the lake trail, Zilker, and the South Lamar dining corridor. For remote workers, the combination of a home office, walkable exercise on the lake trail, and a 5-minute drive to downtown meetings is Tarrytown’s strongest daily lifestyle proposition.
| Destination | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Austin | ~2 miles | 5 min |
| UT Campus | ~2 miles | 5–8 min |
| Zilker Park / Barton Springs | ~1.5 miles | 5 min |
| Lady Bird Lake Trail | Adjacent | Walk |
| ABIA Airport | ~12 miles | 15–20 min |
| Domain / North Tech | ~12 miles | 18–25 min |
- 51% commute under 15 minutes: One of the shortest average commutes in the Austin metro.
- Lake trail is walking distance: Hike-and-bike access from most Tarrytown addresses without driving.
- Remote work paradise: 39% of residents work from home. Lake trail for exercise, downtown for occasional meetings.
- North Austin tech is further: Domain corridor is 18-25 minutes. Buyers commuting north daily should test the route.
Who Tarrytown fits
How to buy well in Austin’s most expensive neighborhood
Buying in Tarrytown means competing in a thin-inventory, premium market where the lot and location drive value more than the house itself. Most regret comes from underestimating renovation costs, missing the school district boundary, or paying a lake premium on a home that does not actually have lake access.
- Verify AISD vs Eanes ISD: The boundary runs through Tarrytown. This is the highest-stakes detail in any offer here.
- Budget renovation separately: 1940s-1970s homes need work. $100K-$300K on top of purchase is common. Get contractor estimates before closing.
- Inspect aggressively: Foundation, plumbing, electrical, and roof on any home over 50 years old. Budget $1,000-$1,500 for a full inspection package.
- Confirm lake access: Not all Tarrytown homes have direct lake trail access. Verify the specific walking route from the property.
- Model the full tax burden: Travis County taxes on a $1.5M home exceed $27,000 annually. Add that to the mortgage before committing.
- Move fast on good inventory: Well-priced Tarrytown homes sell quickly. Pre-approval and inspector on standby before you start touring.
Austin’s most established luxury neighborhood
Tarrytown is the strongest answer in Austin for buyers who want established central luxury with lake and park access. The combination of Lady Bird Lake trail, Zilker Park, mature tree canopy, and a 5-minute downtown commute is irreplaceable. The median price around $2 million reflects that scarcity. 90% of residents hold college degrees, 39% work from home, and 51% commute under 15 minutes.
The tradeoff is cost and age. Entry requires $800K+ with renovation on top, and the housing stock is 50-80 years old. For buyers who want the location and can afford the carrying cost, Tarrytown consistently delivers the lifestyle and the resale performance. For buyers who want new construction at a lower price, Austin’s suburban master-planned communities offer more house per dollar with different schools and a longer commute.



