This guide compares ten Austin, Texas neighborhoods for people relocating to Austin or buying their first home here. For each neighborhood, it covers where it is, what daily life is like, how walkable it is, what kinds of homes you'll find, and what to check before you buy. It's written from years of helping buyers in these neighborhoods, including the tradeoffs listing descriptions usually leave out.
Austin is organized around Lady Bird Lake, a dammed section of the Colorado River that runs east–west through the center of the city. Downtown Austin sits on the lake's north shore. Interstate 35 runs north–south along downtown's east edge, and neighborhoods east of it are generally called East Austin. MoPac Expressway (Loop 1) is the main north–south highway on the west side. The 78704 ZIP code, directly south of the lake, is so closely tied to South Austin's identity that locals call it "the 04." Most central neighborhoods are 5 to 15 minutes from downtown outside rush hour; during rush hour, those times can double.
Neighborhood | Area / ZIP | Distance | Walkability | Best for buyers who want | Typical homes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travis Heights | South Central, 78704 | ~1–2 mi | Moderate to high near South Congress | Central location with trees and quiet streets | Historic cottages, mid-century, modern infill |
Bouldin Creek | South Central, 78704 | ~1–2 mi | High | Walking to restaurants and coffee | Cottages, bungalows, modern infill, condos |
Barton Hills | Southwest Central, 78704 | ~3 mi | Low for errands, high for trails | Barton Springs, Zilker Park, Greenbelt access | 1960s–70s ranches, remodels, new builds |
Hyde Park | North Central, 78751 | ~3–4 mi | High | Historic homes and a walkable neighborhood center | Victorian, Craftsman, bungalows |
Rosedale | North Central, 78756 | ~4–5 mi | Moderate to high; very bikeable | A calm, central, flat neighborhood | Cottages, bungalows, mid-century, infill |
East Austin | East of I-35, 78702 and nearby | ~0–4 mi | High near downtown, low farther east | Restaurants, nightlife, modern architecture | Historic bungalows, modern infill, townhomes |
Northwest Hills | Northwest, 78731 | ~7–8 mi | Low | Larger lots, views, Hill Country scenery | Mid-century ranches, custom homes |
Westgate | South, 78745 | ~6–7 mi | Low to moderate | More house for the money near central Austin | 1960s–70s ranch homes |
Oak Hill | Southwest, 78735 / 78736 / 78749 | ~10–12 mi | Low | Space, nature, Hill Country access | Older homes on large lots, newer subdivisions |
Balcones Village | Northwest, 78750 | ~12–14 mi | Low | A suburban setting near a country club | Ranch and traditional homes on larger lots |
By Hannah Edwards, Real Estate Advisor, Compass RE Texas, LLC · Texas Real Estate License #764789 · Last updated September 2026
East Austin is the area east of Interstate 35, made up of several distinct neighborhoods, including Holly, East Cesar Chavez, Rosewood, and Govalle, mostly in the 78702 ZIP code. It's known for some of Austin's best restaurants and nightlife, a mix of historic and modern homes, and deep roots in Austin's Black and Mexican American history.
Quick facts: ZIP 78702 and nearby · ~0–4 miles to downtown · Walkability: high near downtown, low farther east
East Austin is energetic and changing quickly. Historic bungalows sit next to modern infill, murals, galleries, cocktail bars, and taco trucks. For decades, East Austin was the center of Austin's Black and Mexican American communities, a result of the city's 1928 master plan, which pushed those residents east. That history still shapes the area's culture and institutions, and it's worth understanding as the area continues to change.
No. East Austin is a collection of very different neighborhoods, and this matters more here than anywhere else in Austin. A home near East Cesar Chavez and one ten minutes farther east can differ completely in walkability, price, architecture, and nearby amenities. Compare East Austin properties street by street.
Parts of East Austin are among the most walkable areas in the city. Homes near East Sixth Street, East Cesar Chavez, and downtown can reach restaurants, coffee, bars, and some errands on foot. Walkability drops quickly farther east.
Popular spots include Justine's (a late-night French brasserie), la Barbecue, Buenos Aires Café, and Paper + Craft Pantry. The George Washington Carver Museum focuses on African American history and culture. The Boggy Creek Greenbelt and the Lady Bird Lake trail provide green space.
East Austin has historic cottages, original bungalows, renovated older homes, modern detached infill, townhomes, condos, and luxury new construction.
Expect nearby construction, noise near nightlife areas like East Sixth Street, and neighboring homes in very different states of renovation. Price and walkability vary significantly by sub-neighborhood.
The western parts of East Austin are comparable to Bouldin Creek for walkability, with more nightlife and more modern architecture.
Among the neighborhoods in this guide, Bouldin Creek, Hyde Park, and the western parts of East Austin are the most walkable for daily errands and dining. Travis Heights and Rosedale are walkable in many locations.
Barton Hills has the best access to Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Travis Heights has parks and creeks within the neighborhood. Northwest Hills and Oak Hill offer Hill Country trails and green space.
Westgate (78745) often offers larger homes and lots for the price than 78704 neighborhoods. Oak Hill and Balcones Village also offer more space, with longer commutes.
78704 is the ZIP code directly south of downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake. It includes Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, Barton Hills, and Zilker. Locals call it "the 04," and it's associated with South Austin's laid-back culture, South Congress Avenue, and Barton Springs.
Hyde Park, Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, and parts of East Austin have many historic homes. Parts of Hyde Park fall under local historic district rules that restrict exterior changes.
Search any address on the City of Austin's FloodPro map, and ask your agent and insurance provider about flood history and insurance costs. Properties near creeks, including Blunn Creek, Shoal Creek, and Williamson Creek, deserve extra attention.
The City of Austin protects trees 19 inches or larger in diameter, and heritage trees of certain species 24 inches or larger receive additional protection. This can limit remodeling, additions, and new construction on tree-heavy lots.
Several school districts serve addresses in Austin. Check the specific address using the school district's boundary lookup tool, since boundaries can change and neighborhood names don't always match district lines.
6,018 people live in East Austin, where the median age is 34 and the average individual income is $67,052. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Median Age
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
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There's plenty to do around East Austin, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Le Cake Haus, Nick Blue pools, and Club 40 Lounge.
| Name | Category | Distance | Reviews |
Ratings by
Yelp
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dining | 0.74 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Active | 0.74 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 0.35 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 0.35 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 0.76 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Nightlife | 0.76 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.74 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
| Beauty | 0.74 miles | 0 reviews | 0/5 stars | |
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East Austin has 2,804 households, with an average household size of 2. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in East Austin do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 6,018 people call East Austin home. The population density is 9,329 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Total Population
Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
Median Age
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
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10-17 Years
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Average individual Income
Households with Children
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Blue vs White Collar Workers
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