Tesla’s Giga Texas sits in southeast Travis County, while SpaceX, The Boring Company, and X operate in rural Bastrop County about 45 minutes east. If you have an offer from one of them, choose where to live by the campus you report to, the highway you will drive, and the taxes you will carry.
Two Job Centers, Not One
- Giga Texas is in southeast Travis County on Harold Green Road, east of Austin.
- SpaceX, The Boring Company, and X run sites in rural Bastrop County, about 45 minutes east of Austin.
- Where you live should follow the campus on your badge, not the brand on your offer letter.
Hiring Is Real but Uneven
- Tesla reported 16,506 Austin-area workers in 2025, down from 21,191 the year before.
- Musk has projected more than 30,000 Tesla workers in Austin by 2028.
- SpaceX’s Bastrop expansion is expected to add more than 400 jobs, per the governor’s office.
The East Side Is Growing Fast
- Bastrop County grew from about 98,000 residents in 2020 to nearly 115,000 in 2024.
- Recent growth comes from people moving in from other U.S. counties.
- New subdivisions mean additional MUD and PID taxes to check before you sign.
Buy for the Job You Have
- Tesla’s headcount fell 22 percent in one year, so budget on today’s income, not growth projections.
- Price the full monthly cost, including MUD, PID, insurance, and tolls on SH 130.
- Drive the commute at shift-change hours before you write an offer.
Where should I live if I work at Giga Texas?
The shortest commutes come from southeast Austin and Del Valle, the area immediately around the plant. Buyers who want newer homes or additional space often look at Manor and Pflugerville to the north or Lockhart to the south, using SH 130 to reach the factory. The right choice depends on your shift, your budget for tolls and taxes, and whether anyone else in your household works elsewhere in the metro.
Where should I live if I work at SpaceX or The Boring Company in Bastrop?
Buyers weigh the city of Bastrop and nearby areas along SH 71, Elgin to the north, and Smithville to the southeast. Living in Bastrop County keeps the commute short and usually lowers your purchase price compared with Austin. If someone in your household works in Austin or at Giga Texas, homes along the SH 71 corridor between the two job centers often balance both commutes.
The Bottom Line Up Front
Musk’s Central Texas workforce is split between two job centers about 45 minutes apart. Choose where you live by the campus you report to and the highway you will drive, then check MUD, PID, insurance, and school district boundaries at the exact address. Buy on your current income, not on headcount projections, because Tesla’s local workforce dropped by more than 4,600 people in a single year before Musk projected a rebound.
Giga Texas workers usually weigh southeast Austin, Del Valle, Manor, Pflugerville, and Lockhart. Bastrop-based SpaceX, Boring, and X workers usually weigh Bastrop, Elgin, Smithville, and the SH 71 corridor. Households with jobs at both centers, or one job in central Austin, should look hardest at the corridor between them.
- Giga Texas sits in southeast Travis County; SpaceX, Boring, and X operate in rural Bastrop County.
- Tesla reported 16,506 local workers in 2025 and Musk projects more than 30,000 by 2028.
- The state expects SpaceX’s Bastrop expansion to create more than 400 jobs over three years.
- Bastrop County added nearly 17,000 residents between 2020 and 2024.
- New east-side communities often carry MUD or PID taxes that change your monthly payment.
Where the Jobs Actually Are
Tesla moved its headquarters to Austin, and its Giga Texas factory sits in southeast Travis County on Harold Green Road. The Del Valle Independent School District sits about two miles from the plant, which gives a sense of how close the surrounding neighborhoods are. Under its annual compliance report to Travis County, Tesla reported 16,506 workers in 2025, down from 21,191 in 2024, while remaining the county’s largest employer. In September 2026 Musk said he expects more than 30,000 people to work at Tesla’s Austin headquarters and manufacturing operations by 2028.
Bastrop County is the second job center. SpaceX builds Starlink hardware at a site in rural Bastrop County, and The Boring Company and X also operate there, about 45 minutes east of Austin. In March 2025 Governor Greg Abbott announced a $17.3 million Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund grant for SpaceX’s Bastrop facility, which is expected to grow by 1 million square feet over three years, bring more than $280 million in capital investment, and create more than 400 jobs. The Boring Company, headquartered in Bastrop with additional operations in Pflugerville, had more than 40 open roles at its Bastrop headquarters in fall 2026.
The practical point is that these campuses are not in the same place. A home that is ideal for a Giga Texas engineer can mean a long daily drive for a Starlink production worker, and the reverse is true too.
Commute Zones Compared
Use this table to narrow the search by campus first. Drive times change with shifts, construction, and toll use, so test each route at the hours you will actually travel before you commit.
| Zone | Best for | Main routes | Verify before you buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Austin and Del Valle | Giga Texas | SH 71, SH 130, local roads near the plant | Flood maps, MUD or PID status, airport noise near Austin-Bergstrom |
| Manor and Pflugerville | Giga Texas, Boring’s Pflugerville operations, north Austin jobs | SH 130 toll road, US 290 | Toll costs, MUD and PID taxes in newer subdivisions |
| Lockhart and the SH 130 south corridor | Giga Texas with a lower price point | SH 130 toll road, US 183 | Toll costs, rural lots, septic and well where applicable |
| Bastrop and the SH 71 corridor | SpaceX, Boring, and X; split households with one Austin job | SH 71, SH 21, FM 1209 | Insurance on wooded lots, ISD boundaries, lot size and upkeep |
| Elgin and Smithville | Bastrop campuses with a small-town setting | SH 95, US 290, SH 71 | Commute at shift change, older home condition, utility providers |
For narrower guides, see Tesla employees moving to Bastrop, moving to East Austin and Del Valle for a Tesla job, and the Bastrop County real estate guide.
If You Work at Giga Texas
Southeast Austin and Del Valle offer the shortest drives to the plant and access to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, which matters for anyone who travels for work. Check whether any newer home here sits in a MUD or PID, since those districts add to the tax bill. Parts of this area lie near the Colorado River, so pull the FEMA flood map for the exact address.
Manor and Pflugerville to the north give you a larger choice of newer homes and established subdivisions, with SH 130 connecting them to the factory. If you will use SH 130 daily, add the tolls to your monthly budget. Browse Pflugerville homes for sale or see the Pflugerville neighborhood guide to compare subdivisions.
Lockhart, south along SH 130, appeals to buyers who want a lower price point and more space in exchange for a longer drive. The Lockhart neighborhood guide and current Lockhart homes for sale are good starting points. If you prefer to stay inside Austin and reverse-commute east, start with Austin homes for sale and the affordable Austin homes search.
If You Work at SpaceX, The Boring Company, or X in Bastrop
The Musk company sites sit in Bastrop County outside the city of Bastrop’s limits, so living in or near town keeps the daily drive short while giving you access to the historic downtown and the Colorado River. Bastrop County has grown quickly: U.S. Census estimates put it at about 98,000 residents in 2020 and nearly 115,000 in 2024, and the county added about 3,000 more people between 2024 and 2025, mostly through people moving in from other U.S. counties.
That growth brings new subdivisions alongside older homes on larger, wooded lots. Wooded properties in the Lost Pines area deserve an early insurance quote, since premiums depend on the property, roof, and surrounding vegetation. Larger rural lots may also use septic systems and private wells, which need their own inspections during the option period.
Elgin to the north and Smithville to the southeast give Bastrop-based workers more options with a small-town feel. Use the cities near Austin guide to compare the wider set of towns east of the capital.
If Your Household Works at Both Campuses
Many households will have one person at Giga Texas or in central Austin and another at a Bastrop campus. In that case, the SH 71 corridor between the two job centers usually balances both drives better than living at either end. Areas along SH 71 between Austin-Bergstrom and Bastrop, including Cedar Creek, put both commutes within reach without either person carrying the full distance every day.
Before you buy, map both commutes at the actual shift times, add both sets of fuel and toll costs, and compare that total against the price difference between zones. A cheaper home that adds an hour of combined driving each day often costs more than it saves.
Costs That Change the Math on the East Side
Much of the new construction east of Austin sits in special taxing districts. A Municipal Utility District issues bonds to build water, sewer, and drainage infrastructure and repays them through a tax on the homes inside the district. Texas law requires sellers to give buyers a MUD notice showing the district’s tax rate and debt before the contract is signed, and the Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center notes that a buyer who never receives the notice may be able to sue for damages after closing. Public Improvement Districts work differently but also add a recurring charge, and a PID notice is now required as well.
- Ask for the MUD and PID notices early. Compare the combined tax rate across every home on your list, not just the price.
- Price tolls if you will use SH 130. Daily toll use adds a real monthly line item.
- Get insurance quotes during the option period. Wooded lots, older roofs, and flood zones all move premiums.
- Check ISD boundaries at the address. Confirm the school assignment directly with the district rather than relying on a listing.
- Model the full payment. Run each finalist through the Monthly Payment Stack Checklist, and if you are buying new construction, read the new build taxes and HOA reality check.
Buy for the Job You Have, Not the Headcount Forecast
Musk’s projection of more than 30,000 Tesla workers in Austin by 2028 is a forecast, not a hiring plan you can bank on. Tesla’s own report to Travis County showed its local workforce falling 22 percent between 2024 and 2025. Even with strong demand at the Bastrop campuses, a mortgage should fit your current income with room left for a job change, a commute change, or a move to a different campus.
If you are relocating on a fresh offer, renting for a few months while you learn the commute is a reasonable choice, especially if you are not yet sure which campus or shift you will end up on. If you are selling a home elsewhere, the buy before you sell guide covers how to time both transactions.
The Bottom Line
Musk’s Central Texas footprint is really two job centers: Giga Texas in southeast Travis County and the SpaceX, Boring, and X sites in Bastrop County. Pick a zone around the campus you report to, choose the SH 71 corridor if your household splits between them, and check MUD, PID, tolls, insurance, and school district boundaries at the exact address before you write an offer. Size your budget on the paycheck you have today, not on the next round of hiring announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest place to live to Tesla Giga Texas?
Southeast Austin and Del Valle surround the plant. The Del Valle Independent School District sits about two miles from the factory, which shows how close those neighborhoods are. Living there gives you the shortest drive and quick access to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Check flood maps and MUD or PID status at the exact address, since both vary from street to street in this area.
How far is the SpaceX Bastrop site from Austin?
The SpaceX site is in rural Bastrop County, roughly 45 minutes east of Austin, and The Boring Company and X operate nearby. Workers who live in central Austin face a long daily drive on SH 71. Living in or near the city of Bastrop, Elgin, or Smithville shortens that commute considerably and usually lowers your purchase price compared with Austin.
Is Tesla still hiring in Austin?
Tesla reported 16,506 Austin-area workers in 2025, down from 21,191 in 2024, according to its annual compliance report to Travis County. In September 2026 Musk projected more than 30,000 workers by 2028. Hiring levels can swing in either direction, so buyers should size their mortgage to their current income rather than to company growth forecasts.
Where should I live if one person works at Giga Texas and another works in Bastrop?
Look at the SH 71 corridor between Austin-Bergstrom and Bastrop, including Cedar Creek. Living between the two job centers keeps both commutes manageable rather than forcing one person to drive the full distance every day. Map both routes at actual shift times and add both sets of fuel and toll costs before comparing homes.
What extra taxes should I expect in newer east Austin communities?
Many newer subdivisions east of Austin sit inside a Municipal Utility District or a Public Improvement District, and both add to your property tax bill or monthly costs. Texas law requires the seller to give you a MUD notice before you sign, showing the district’s tax rate and debt. Ask for the MUD and PID notices on every home you are considering and compare combined tax rates, not just prices.
Should I rent before buying if I just got an offer from Tesla or SpaceX?
Renting for a few months can make sense if you are not yet sure which campus, team, or shift you will end up on, since those details drive the best location. If your role and schedule are settled and you already know the commute you want, buying sooner can work. Either way, base your budget on your current income and test the commute before committing.
