Austin, TX: Surrounding Neighborhood Guide

Last Updated: Mar 9, 2022
5 min read

Austin has the 11th highest population in the United States, which isn’t surprising considering it’s one of the largest music and arts scenes in the country.

Photo Credit: losays

It’s also a place where housing is in constant demand.

If you already have a place in mind, you can use the links in the table below to dig straight into a specific neighborhood.

Pick your origin and get a personalized moving to Austin guide.

Austin Neighborhood List
Downtown	Clarksville	Hyde Park	Mueller
East Austin	Old West Austin	Georgetown	Leander
Round Rock	Cedar Park	University Hills	North Loop

Austin, TX: Hipster Capital of the World

Generally, Austin can be divided into eight geographic regions.

Central Austin: This, as in most major cities, is the busiest and most expsensive place to live.
West Austin: This is the wealthier area of town, full of big, expensive neighborhoods and upscale restaurants.
Southwest Austin: This area features a ton of more moderately priced homes and is generally more favorable for suburban, family types.
South Austin (78704): This is sort of the epicenter of “Austin Weirdness” you’ll hear about. It’s one of the trendiest and most sought-after areas in town.

Southeast Austin: The southeast region is home to some fairly affordable rentals but that also means it attracts a lot of college students.
East Austin: This traditionally lower-income area is currently in the midst of massive gentrification which has made it fairly attractive for artists and young professionals.
North Austin: This is where people go for older, affordable housing that still places them within reach of the more exciting parts of the city.
Williamson County: The hub of Austin’s major suburbs offering residents a break from the hippy/arts scene.

Average Rent Prices in Austin Neighborhoods

Austin’s average rent is the 24th highest in the country. This, combined with the massive influx of transplants looking for a place to live makes it pretty difficult to find a decently priced place to live.

This is probably obvious, but the closer you are to the center of town, the more expensive rent will be. For Instance: Downtown and Clarksville.

The more popular areas of town that have the most to do are going to be pricey too. Examples Include: East Austin, Old West Austin, and Georgetown.

Still, as long as you’re willing to stray a bit away from the action you can find some decent priced areas like University Hills, Cedar Park, and Hyde Park.

Downtown

Look, you probably know what you’re getting with the Downtown area of a major city. It’s where all the activity, restaurants, bars and major jobs are going to be. But it’s also where you’re gonna spend the most money, so keep affordability in mind when considering whether the convenience is worth the cost.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $2,501
Median Household Income: $67k
Median Age: 35

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

Clarksville

Clarksville is basically an extension of Downtown. Here’ you’ll find all the amenities of the center of town along with a riverside view, tree-lined streets, and a more eclectic community. That being said, it’s still going to be an extremely expensive area.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $2,462
Median Household Income: $76k
Median Age: 36

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

Hyde Park

This is a moderate-to-high priced area that tends to attract recent college graduates and young professionals. Hyde Park is actually registered as a historic neighborhood that is home to a ton of small restaurants and pubs as well as some reasonably pirced bungalows.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $1,363
Median Household Income: $33k
Median Age: 28

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

Mueller

Mueller is a relatively new neighborhood designed with walkability in mind that has a little bit of something for everyone. The rentals are on the higher end of the affordability spectrum, but they’re balanced out with some very nice shops, restaurants, and parks all within walking distance of each others.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $1,426
Median Household Income: $38k
Median Age: 33

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

East Austin

Named one of Forbes’ “Best Hipster Neighborhoods”, East Austin is a newly-gentrified area that’s definitely courting the young professional crowd. There are still some low-income areas which are being surrounded by trendy shops and restaurants creating a diverse community that can be somewhat starkly divided at times.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $1,782
Median Household Income: $32k
Median Age: 33

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

Old West Austin

Old West Austin is very much what it sounds, a historic area of town that’s home to huge mansions and some of the most espensive properties in the city. Its historical trappings also lead to it being a fairly popular tourist destination so be prepared for that.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $1,796
Median Household Income: $76k
Median Age: 36

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

Georgetown

Georgetown is one of the most conveniently located suburbs in Austin where young people and families alike can find tons of great shops and restaruants along with parks and a very tight-kint community vibe. While the rent is going to be fairly expensive, the quiet and somewhat secluded area makes up for the price.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $1,719
Median Household Income: $57k
Median Age: 32

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

Leander

Leander is a much more outdoorsy suburb that has the added benefit of featuring a decent range of options for renting and buying. Though these features are great, they’re compromised by being a bit further from the center of town but many families believe that it’s worth the extra commute.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $1,426
Median Household Income: $71k
Median Age: 34

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

Round Rock

Round Rock is an Austin suburb that’s like a small city in-and-of itself. It boasts the most ameneties per capita and has a thriving community where there’s always something interesting going on. Add to that moderately priced housing and a short commute and you’ll see why so many new families settle here.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $1,434
Median Household Income: $66k
Median Age: 32

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

Cedar Park

This is one of the higher-end suburbs in Austin whose great local restaurants and excellent schools are extremely attractive to families with higher incomes. Still, Cedar Park does also offer plenty of affordable rentals for young professionals.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $1,089
Median Household Income: $85k
Median Age: 34

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

University Hills

University Hills is definitely one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Austin, making it a very popular spot for college students. Here, you’ll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars that make it popular for youn progfessionals while still providing a family-friendly environment for parents who don’t want to stray too far from the city.

The Stats

Average Rent Price (1 bedroom): $878
Median Household Income: $38k
Median Age: 33

Noteworthy Local Hotspots

North Loop

North Loop is a recent up-and-comer prepping to be the next trendy place for hipsters and young professionals. It’s also one of the most walkable areas of the city.