Considering living in Austin? Not only is Texas’ capital one of the best big cities in the U.S., but it’s also one of the best cities for jobs! Austin’s popularity has made it a hotspot for singles and young professionals, contributing to a higher cost of living—but that doesn’t mean moving to Austin is unattainable! To determine the best neighborhoods in Austin, we prioritized factors like affordable housing, low crime rates, and easy access to top amenities. Check out these five safe, affordable neighborhoods in Austin, TX!
Is Austin a Safe Place to Live in 2026?
Though its crime rates are higher than the national average, Austin is still safer than 7% of Texas cities and 12% of cities in the U.S. The city has also seen an encouraging decrease in crime year over year. Efforts by organizations like the Downtown Austin Alliance have helped enhance public safety by allocating more resources to neighborhoods in need.
Garrison Park
- Home Price: $567,950 median home price; $2,277 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Austin neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
With housing costs that run nearly 8% lower than the city’s real estate average, the Garrison Park neighborhood is a great place for affordable single-family homes in Austin. Here, you’ll find ranches, American Foursquares, and Mid-Century Modern-style homes sitting beside charter and public schools in Austin like Wayside: Eden Park Academy, Odom Elementary School, and Crockett Early College High School. Austin residents enjoy the neighborhood’s community charm, with amenities like the Garrison Park Market Garden and Cherry Creek Community Garden providing fresh local produce, and the Neighbor’s Dog Park offering opportunities to meet new friends in the area.
Things to Do in Garrison Park
Go for a swim in the pool, cozy up near the campfire, or hike the trails at Garrison District Park. Take your kids to climb the Airbag Angled Wall, play Extreme Dodgeball, or explore the Soft Play jungle gym at Altitude Trampoline Park. Join a youth or seniors bowling league or enjoy a “Rock-n-Bowl” Glow Bowling night at Westgate Lanes. Leaf through new books or bring the kids to volunteer at the Austin Public Library’s Menchaca Road Branch. Select specialty pizzas like the Gourmet Chicken Pie, Pizza Rustica, and Southwest BBQ Chicken at Austin pizzeria Milano Pizza. Sink your teeth into Fried Green Tomatoes, Blackened Catfish, or a Shrimp Po’ Boy at Cherry Creek Catfish. Treat yourself to the Seaweed Salad, Alaskan Roll, or Manduguk Soup at the oldest sushi bar in Austin, DK Sushi South. Or get your fill of authentic Cuban cuisine like El Cubano Sandwich, Lechon Asado, or Ropa Vieja at Cuba512.
A: Though the cost of living in Austin is slightly higher than the national average, there’s no shortage of affordable places to live in Austin, TX! Top neighborhoods in Austin like Hyde Park and Garrison Park offer an excellent balance of affordability and safety, with budget-friendly housing options and quiet, peaceful streets.
Hyde Park
- Home Price: $1,024,060 median home price; $1,979 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 82% of Austin neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals
Hyde Park is a great Austin neighborhood for those seeking a laid-back vibe near the city center. Founded in 1891, Hyde Park still offers residents old-school charm, with historical Tudor homes in the Shadow Lawn Historic District. The neighborhood also offers bungalow, ranch, and Craftsman-style homes, along with a handful of apartment complexes—helping make it one of the best places to rent a home in Austin. The Hyde Park Neighborhood Association has put a lot of effort into maintaining the area’s historical properties, more than 40 of which have received the historic landmark designation. Residents can take advantage of how walkable Hyde Park is while exercising their pups or running errands. And those looking for a strong community vibe won’t be disappointed! Join Friends of Shipe Park for the annual It’s My Park Day, as well as basketball contests, movie nights, and more.
Things to Do in Hyde Park
Walk the gardens and view the largest collection of work by local sculptor Elisabet Ney in her original studio at the Elisabet Ney Museum. Swim in Shipe Pool or picnic in Shipe Park. Browse curated used and vintage books or join the Fight Against Brain-Rot Book Club at Livra Books. Enroll in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes at Renzo Gracie Austin. Start your day with The Aretha, The M.C. Hammer, or The Bee Gee at Biscuits + Groovy. Grab a coffee, chai, or Grapefruit Brown Sugar Latte from Terrible Love Coffee. Savor brunch tacos like Avocado Abogado, Scooby, or Puffy Chicken Tinga at Tyson’s Tacos. Buy from the neighborhood seafood market or order the Maine Lobster Roll, Gulf Red Snapper, or Skillet Angus Burger from the restaurant at Mongers Market + Kitchen.
Q: What is the safest neighborhood in Austin?
A: Hyde Park is one of the safest areas in Austin, TX. This neighborhood is perfect for singles and young professionals seeking a safe place to live in Texas while still benefiting from short commute times and easy access to local amenities, exciting activities, and great restaurants.
Mueller
- Home Price: $911,932 median home price; $2,479 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 70% of Austin neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
Mueller is one of East Austin’s premier planned communities, seamlessly blending sustainability, walkability, and city convenience just minutes from downtown. Characterized by its energy-efficient rowhouses, contemporary condos, and charming Craftsman-style homes, the neighborhood pairs modern eco-friendly living with an active outdoor lifestyle. Residents enjoy 140 acres of parks, miles of walking trails, and plenty of spaces for family-friendly activities. Mueller families also benefit from access to excellent Austin schools and learning centers for all ages, including Maplewood Elementary, General Marshall Middle School, and McCallum High School. From its bustling main street packed with local shops and dining to weekly farmers markets and community gatherings around the lake, Mueller delivers top-tier Austin living with an unmatched sense of connection.
Things to Do in Mueller
Have a picnic, jog the trails, or feed the ducks at Mueller Lake Park. Inspire young minds with hands-on science and creative exhibits like Our Backyard, Fortastic Adventure, and Bloom at the Thinkery. Browse local produce, artisanal foods, and handmade goods every Sunday at the Texas Farmers’ Market at Mueller. Start your morning with a handcrafted cold brew, Corn Pops Latte, or cortado with a fresh pastry at Merit Coffee. Indulge in Southern comfort classics like Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Steak Frites, or Chicken Pot Pie at Colleen’s Kitchen. Grab an Egg Custard Bao, Hot Pot Brisket Taco, or Dan Dan Noodles at Bao’d Up. Savor handmade pasta dishes like Fusili, Rigatoni Arrabiata, or Bucatini Nerano and a glass of wine on the patio at L’Oca d’Oro. Or beat the Texas heat with a scoop of Grasshopper Pie, Caramel Salt Lick, or Pecan Joy at Lick Honest Ice Creams.
Q: Is Austin safe?
A: Austin is safer than 7% of Texas cities. As in many major metros, crime rates in the downtown area tend to be higher than in residential areas further removed from the city center. If safety is your priority, some of the best places to live in Austin include Mueller, Hyde Park, and North University—all of which are known for their low crime rates and strong sense of community.
North University
- Home Price: $644,277 median home price; $1,914 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Austin neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Students, singles, young professionals
Located on The University of Texas at Austin‘s northern border, North University is one of the best neighborhoods in Austin for young professionals and students! Here, Austinites have their pick of condos, apartments for rent, and single-family homes—with home styles like American Foursquare, ranches, and Craftsman bungalows. This lively neighborhood is one of the best places to live in Austin if you want an energetic atmosphere with plenty of cozy coffee shops, fun restaurants, and vibrant nightlife options nearby! And as one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Austin—with easy access to bike lanes and public transportation—North University makes a daily commute to Downtown Austin simple.
Things to Do in North University
Take a short drive after work to the Hancock Recreation Center for yoga, basketball, or time on the greens at Hancock Golf Course. Replace a broken spoke, shop for a new helmet, or choose from a variety of bikes for sale at Clown Dog Bikes. Purchase tickets to a live concert, DJ, or comedy act at Austin performance venue 29th Street Ballroom. Slather sauce onto Beef Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, or Barbecue Chicken at Black’s Barbecue. Feast on Al Pastor Tacos, Nopales Tacos, or Bistec Tacos at Vaquero Taquero. Sample rotating ice cream flavors, including a few alcohol-infused varieties for those 21 and up, at local Austin favorite Amy’s Ice Creams. Grab a beer with friends and order a Mushroom Swiss Burger & Fries, The Crown BLT, or Crown Nachos at Crown & Anchor Pub. Or enjoy dinner with a relaxed, retro atmosphere and dishes like Miso Corn Ravioli, Honey Moon Biscuits, and Seoul Hot Fried Chicken at Honey Moon Spirit Lounge.
Q: Is Austin more affordable than Dallas?
A: The cost of living in Austin is slightly higher than the cost of living in Dallas. As two major cities in Texas, both are more expensive than the national average—however, in Austin, this is mainly due to higher housing costs. In fact, Austin residents actually save more than Dallas residents when it comes to the price of groceries, health care, utilities, and more—so it’s important to consider your priorities when comparing Austin vs. Dallas costs of living.
Windsor Hills
- Home Price: $461,430 median home price; $1,708 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 61% of Austin neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
When it comes to convenient and affordable Austin neighborhoods, it’s hard to beat Windsor Hills! The cost of living in the Windsor Hills neighborhood is about 14% lower than the Austin average, and cozy ranch-style homes mixed with modern construction perfectly represent Austin’s blend of old and new. Residents living in Windsor Hills will appreciate the neighborhood’s proximity to quality schools like Graham Elementary School and Dobie College Prep Academy, as well as proximity to healthcare options like Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Plus, I-35 borders this area, making it easy to get to Downtown Austin and other areas of the Lone Star State capital.
Things to Do in Windsor Hills
Keep the Windsor Hills community spirit alive and attend fun events like National Night Out and Keep Austin Beautiful Day, hosted by Windsor Hills Neighborhood Association. Find more things to do in Austin just outside of Windsor Hills, like enrolling in archery, banjo, or candle-making workshops at Pioneer Farms. Try your hand at rock climbing or drop the kids off for an After School Program at the Gustavo “Gus” L. Garcia Recreation Center. Take a nature walk at sunset or pedal over unpaved trails in the Walnut Creek Greenbelt. Go out for a Shrimp Chimichanga, Enchiladas Verde, or a Mushroom Quesadilla at Los Potrillos Restaurant. Savor the Crispy Tacos, Chicken Cheese Steak, or Beef Enchilada at Ken’s Tacos. Taste the Classic Hamburger, Buddy’s Spicy with Cheese, or Double Classic with Cheese at Buddy’s Burger. Or snack on the Crispy Ribs or Mushroom Melt paired with a Mezquito at Busty’s Bar & Jukebox.
Q: What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Austin?
A: While there are many areas that offer affordable living, Windsor Hills consistently ranks as one of the best affordable neighborhoods to live in Austin due to its low housing costs, laid-back atmosphere, and variety of amenities. From lively events hosted by the neighborhood association to the many outdoor recreation opportunities in the area, Windsor Hills offers comfortable living without breaking the bank.
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The team at Extra Space Storage understands that moving to a new city can be stressful, which is why we’ve created our Best Places to Live selections to help make the process easier. We’ve done the research for you—considering factors like cost of living, job market, local attractions, and education—to provide a well-rounded and accurate view of each metro area. Check out our methodology page today to learn more about how we select the best places to live.
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
