Moving to Austin, Texas: Where to Live in Austin and Its Suburbs
A practical guide for out-of-state buyers: how to choose an area by commute (Tesla Giga Texas, Samsung in Taylor, Downtown, the Domain, the airport), by budget and by school district, what Texas property taxes really add to a monthly payment, and a realistic 4–6 month timeline.
Why people relocate to Austin
A few verifiable facts, each with its source and date.
No state personal income tax
The Texas Constitution says the legislature "may not impose a tax on the net incomes of individuals." Texas pays for local services largely through property taxes instead (see property taxes below).
Source: Texas Constitution, Art. 8, Sec. 24-a (added Nov. 5, 2019).A fast-growing metro
The Austin–Round Rock–San Marcos metro grew from 2,283,391 residents in the 2020 Census to an estimated 2,620,945 on July 1, 2025, roughly 15% in five years.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Census and Vintage 2025 estimates, compiled by CityPopulation.de.Tesla Giga Texas
Tesla's Gigafactory Texas sits on about 2,500 acres along the Colorado River in southeast Austin, with over 10 million square feet of factory floor. It builds the Model Y and Cybertruck.
Source: Tesla, Gigafactory Texas (accessed October 2026).Samsung in Taylor
Samsung held an equipment installation ceremony at its Taylor chip fab in April 2026 and expects volume production of Tesla's AI chips there in the second half of 2027.
Source: Electrek, July 13, 2026. Timelines can change.Apple in North Austin
Apple announced a $1 billion, 133-acre campus near Parmer Lane in North Austin in December 2018, about a mile from its existing Austin campus.
Source: KUT, Dec. 13, 2018.Start with where you'll work
Austin traffic varies a lot by direction and time of day, so the commute usually narrows the map faster than anything else. Times below are estimates (off-peak to rush hour, in minutes) from each neighborhood guide; check your exact route at the times you'll drive.
Moving for Tesla Giga Texas
Shortest estimated drives among our guides:
Moving for Samsung in Taylor
Shortest estimated drives among our guides:
If your household commutes to both plants, compare Manor, Pflugerville and Hutto, which sit between them.
Commute finder
Pick where you'll work. We'll rank our neighborhood guides by estimated drive time (off-peak to rush hour, in minutes).
Estimates from each KienWithKeys guide (2026). The address check opens Google Maps in a new tab with live directions to the workplace you picked; set your departure time there to see rush-hour traffic.
See every guide’s commute (full table)
| Area | Downtown | The Domain | Tesla | Samsung Taylor | AUS airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Austin | |||||
| Downtown & Rainey | — | 20–35 | 18–30 | — | 15–25 |
| Zilker | 5–12 | 20–35 | 18–30 | — | 15–25 |
| Travis Heights | 5–12 | 18–35 | 15–25 | — | 12–20 |
| Tarrytown | 8–15 | 15–30 | 20–35 | — | 20–35 |
| Old West Austin | 8–15 | 15–30 | 20–35 | — | 18–35 |
| Mueller | 10–20 | 15–25 | 15–25 | — | 15–25 |
| Windsor Park | 12–25 | 15–25 | 15–25 | — | 15–25 |
| Cherrywood | 9–20 | 15–30 | 18–32 | 40–55 | 15–28 |
| Hyde Park | 10–20 | 15–28 | 22–40 | 40–60 | 18–32 |
| North University | 9–18 | 15–28 | 20–35 | 40–58 | 18–32 |
| Rosedale | 12–25 | 13–25 | 22–40 | 40–60 | 20–35 |
| Allandale | 15–30 | 10–20 | 25–45 | 42–65 | 22–40 |
| Northwest Hills | 15–30 | 10–20 | 27–45 | 45–65 | 25–45 |
| Southwest Austin | |||||
| Circle C Ranch | 22–40 | 32–55 | 28–45 | — | 28–45 |
| Woodstone Village | 18–35 | 30–50 | 24–40 | — | 22–40 |
| Shady Hollow | 22–40 | 32–55 | 26–42 | — | 25–40 |
| Oak Hill | 18–35 | 25–45 | 28–45 | — | 25–45 |
| South: Buda & Kyle | |||||
| Buda | 20–45 | — | 22–35 | — | 25–35 |
| Kyle | 25–50 | 40–65 | 28–40 | — | 30–45 |
| North suburbs | |||||
| Round Rock | 30–45 | 20–30 | — | 20–28 | 30–45 |
| Georgetown | 35–60 | 25–35 | — | 22–30 | 40–55 |
| Cedar Park | 30–45 | 15–22 | — | — | 40–55 |
| Leander | 35–50 | 25–35 | — | — | 45–65 |
| Pflugerville | 23–40 | 19–30 | 22–35 | 25–35 | 25–40 |
| Hutto | 35–50 | 25–35 | 30–40 | 12–15 | 35–50 |
| Taylor | 45–70 | 35–55 | 40–55 | 10–15 | 45–60 |
| West | |||||
| Steiner Ranch | 30–50 | 25–40 | — | — | 40–60 |
| Dripping Springs | 35–55 | 42–65 | 42–65 | — | 40–60 |
| East | |||||
| Manor | 20–45 | 20–35 | 15–20 | 25–30 | 20–30 |
| Del Valle | 18–30 | 30–50 | 10–18 | — | 8–14 |
| Bastrop | 38–55 | 50–70 | 28–42 | — | 28–40 |
Minutes, off-peak to rush hour. Estimates from each KienWithKeys neighborhood guide (2026); "—" means that guide doesn't list the destination. Apple's North Austin campus is near Parmer Lane, north of the Domain. Real drive times depend on your exact address, route and schedule.
What your budget buys, by area
Typical (median) prices are estimates. Each guide lists its exact source and date.
Estimates shown on each KienWithKeys guide, drawn from public market reports (Redfin, Zillow and others) dated June–September 2026. Medians move monthly and depend on the mix of homes sold. Compare the full payment, not just the price: taxes and HOA dues differ a lot between these areas.
School districts around Austin
In Texas, the school district (ISD) often doesn't match the city name on the address. Each guide lists the current feeder schools and TEA ratings for that area. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
District shown is the main district for each guide area. Some addresses near the edges fall in a neighboring district. To check a specific home, use the school zone lookup or ask me.
Property taxes for out-of-state buyers
No state income tax doesn't mean low housing costs. In Texas, property tax is often the biggest surprise in the monthly payment.
How the rate is built
Texas has no state property tax. Your rate is the sum of every local unit that taxes the home: the school district, county, city, community college or hospital district, and in many suburbs a MUD (municipal utility district) or PID (public improvement district). Appraisal districts value homes as of January 1 each year, and the bill is generally due by January 31 of the following year.
Source: Texas Comptroller, Property Tax Basics (accessed October 2026).MUDs and PIDs
MUDs and PIDs pay for roads, water and sewer lines in newer subdivisions, and their tax or assessment is added on top of the base rate. Two homes in the same city and school district can carry different total rates. On our guides, combined rates run from roughly 1.6% to 3.5% of taxable value depending on the area and district (estimates; each guide shows its range).
The homestead exemption
If the home is your principal residence, you can apply to your county appraisal district for the residence homestead exemption. It takes $140,000 off the home's taxable value for school district taxes (Texas voters raised it from $100,000 in November 2025). Owners 65 or older or disabled get an extra $60,000 school exemption. Apply generally before May 1. After your first year with the exemption, the taxable value of your homestead can't rise more than 10% a year, plus new improvements.
Sources: Texas Comptroller, Property Tax Exemptions (accessed October 2026); FOX 7 Austin, Nov. 2025; Texas Tax Code §23.23; Travis Central Appraisal District.Why the monthly payment surprises people
Your lender collects taxes and insurance monthly in escrow. The first estimate is often based on the prior owner's bill (with their exemptions) or, for a new build, on a partly finished home. When the full bill arrives, escrow can come up short and the payment rises. Budget for the full, unexempted tax amount until your own homestead exemption is in place.
Every neighborhood guide has a payment calculator with that area's tax rate filled in. Try it for Taylor, Hutto, Bastrop, Manor, Pflugerville, Del Valle, Round Rock, Georgetown, Kyle, Buda or Woodstone Village.
A realistic 4–6 month relocation plan
A typical plan. Yours may be faster or slower depending on your job start date, lease and whether you're selling a home.
- Months 1–2Get pre-approved with taxes includedTalk to a lender early and ask for a payment estimate that uses a Texas tax rate (not your current state's), plus insurance and HOA dues. That number decides your real price range.
- Months 1–2Shortlist by commute, then budgetPick 2–4 areas from the commute table above, then read those guides for prices, schools and tax rates.
- Months 2–3Virtual toursLive video tours of homes and streets help you rule areas in or out before you fly in.
- Months 2–4One focused trip to AustinDrive your commute at rush hour, see your top homes in person, and visit the areas on your shortlist.
- Months 3–5Offer, inspection and appraisalIn Texas, contracts usually include an option period for inspections. Your lender orders the appraisal and sets the closing timeline.
- Months 4–6Close, move in, file your homesteadOnce the home is your principal residence, apply for the homestead exemption with your county appraisal district.
Common relocation questions
Does Texas have a state income tax?
No. The Texas Constitution (Art. 8, Sec. 24-a, added Nov. 5, 2019) says the legislature may not impose a tax on individuals' net incomes. Property taxes are set locally instead.
Which Austin suburbs are closest to Tesla Giga Texas?
Among our guides, Del Valle (about 10–18 minutes) and Manor (about 15–20 minutes) have the shortest estimated drives, followed by Mueller, Windsor Park and Travis Heights (about 15–25 minutes). Buda and Pflugerville are about 22–35 minutes, and Bastrop about 28–42 minutes. These are estimates; check your route at your shift times.
Where should I live if I work at Samsung in Taylor?
Taylor itself is closest: the fab is about 5 miles from downtown Taylor, roughly 10–15 minutes. Hutto is next (about 12–15 minutes), followed by Round Rock (about 20–28), Georgetown (about 22–30), Manor (about 25–30) and Pflugerville (about 25–35). These are estimates from each guide.
How much is the Texas homestead exemption?
For school district taxes it's $140,000 off your home's taxable value, after Texas voters raised it from $100,000 in November 2025. Owners 65 or older or disabled get an extra $60,000. You apply with your county appraisal district, generally before May 1, once the home is your principal residence.
What is a MUD or PID, and why does it matter?
A municipal utility district (MUD) or public improvement district (PID) funds infrastructure in many newer subdivisions. It adds a tax or assessment on top of the base rate, so two similar homes can have different monthly payments. Each of our guides shows the tax range for that area.
Can I buy a home in Austin without visiting first?
Yes. Many relocating buyers start with live video tours and make one focused trip. Even when buying remotely, schedule a professional inspection and review the appraisal before you commit.
Let's narrow it down on one call.
Tell me where you'll work, your budget and what matters for schools. I know Austin and the north suburbs, and I'll walk you through the areas that fit, live on video if you can't be here yet. In English or Tiếng Việt.
Information is gathered from public sources and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Prices, tax rates, exemptions, commute times, school assignments and employer plans change; verify independently before making decisions. Commute times and prices are estimates. This page is not tax or legal advice; confirm exemptions with your county appraisal district. Hero photo: Oleg Yunakov (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
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