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, causing the cost of living to increase—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 2025?
Despite facing some challenges with crime, ATX is still safer than 7% of Texas cities and 11% of cities in the U.S. The crime rate in Austin may be higher than the national average, but the city has also seen a decrease in crime year over year. Not to mention, efforts by organizations like the Downtown Austin Alliance have helped enhance public safety by allocating more resources to neighborhoods in need.
Allandale
- Home Price: $523,550 median purchase price; $1,801 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 87% of Austin neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
Want to live in one of the best Austin neighborhoods for families? Try Allandale! This north Austin neighborhood is full of fantastic schools like Rosedale School, Gullett Elementary School, Lamar Middle School, and Austin Montessori‘s Great Northern Campus. Along with strong educational opportunities, outdoor recreation in Austin is abundant, thanks to Great Northern Dog Park and the nearby Shoal Creek Greenbelt. Families in Allandale settle in family-size Mid-Century ranches and bungalows, but what really attracts residents to this ATX neighborhood is how rent-friendly Allandale is—with apartments and condos typically costing 37% less than the city’s average. Plus, residents of this neighborhood can have peace of mind knowing Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital is close by. Austinites living in Allandale won’t have to worry about a difficult commute, either! MoPac Expressway runs along the western border of this Texas neighborhood, making the ATX metro easily accessible.
Things to Do in Allandale
Volunteer directly with Project Transitions or shop for vintage clothing, furniture, records, and more at their Top Drawer Thrift store—where 100% of proceeds benefit people living with HIV/AIDS in Austin. Swim in the pool, dribble on the court, throw a curveball on the mound, or catch Movies in the Park at Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park. Pump some iron in the weight room, play disc golf, or enroll in programs like Tai Chi, Totally Cool Totally Art, or youth sports at the Northwest Recreation Center. Join an adult hockey league or perfect your axel jump during public skate times at Chaparral Ice. Sample Chism Trail Cheese Enchiladas, Mango Shrimp Quesadillas, or a Portobello Mushroom Bowl at La Mancha Tex Mex Tavern. Sit down for dinner with an Ahi Tower, Sake Don, or Yakisoba at Ichiban. Savor Mirch Masala, Tarka Daal, or Kabob Salad at Tarka Indian Kitchen. Grab a drink with friends along Burnet Rd and enjoy live music and dancing six nights a week at The Little Longhorn Saloon. Or order classic American entrees like Dijon Herb Pork Tenderloin, Lemon Shrimp Bucatini, or Turmeric Chicken at District Kitchen + Cocktails.
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 Allandale, Hyde Park, and North University—all of which are known for their low crime rates and strong sense of community.
Garrison Park
- Home Price: $310,044 median purchase price; $1,484 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 74% of Austin neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees
With housing costs that run 27% lower than Austin’s real estate average, the Garrison Park neighborhood is a great place for affordable single-family homes among plenty of green spaces! Here, you’ll find Ranches, American Foursquares, and Mid-Century Modern homes sitting beside charter and public schools in Austin like Wayside: Eden Park Academy, Odom Elementary School, and Crockett Early College High School. But what ATX residents love about living in Garrison Park is the community—with Cherry Creek Community Garden providing fresh produce, and South Hills Conservation Area and Odom School Park offering outdoor fun.
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. Host your kid’s birthday party 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 Manchaca 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 Company. Treat yourself to 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.
Q: What is the safest neighborhood in Austin?
A: North University 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 without having to sacrifice quick access to higher education, public transportation, and exciting local activities.
Hyde Park
- Home Price: $563,817 median purchase price; $1,298 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of Austin neighborhoods
- Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families
If you’re a young family living in Austin, Hyde Park might be perfect for you! Founded in 1891, Hyde Park still offers residents old-school charm, with historical Tudor homes in the Shadow Lawn Historic District. Even more housing options can be found in one of the best places to rent a home in Austin, like Bungalow, Ranch, and Craftsman-style homes. Plus, this ATX neighborhood has access to excellent Austin schools for kids of any age like Ridgetop Elementary School, Griffin School, or AHB Community School. Family-friendly Hyde Park is a tight-knit Austin neighborhood, with locals showing their community pride by volunteering for neighborhood improvement projects like “It’s My Park Day” at Shipe Park.
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, push your kids on the swings, or picnic in Shipe Park. Solve clues and break out of rooms like End of the Line, Cabin Fever, or The Gallery at Project Panic Escape Rooms. Enroll yourself or the kiddos 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. Savor brunch tacos like Avocado Abogado, Scooby, or Puffy Chicken Tinga at Tyson’s Tacos. Buy from the neighborhood seafood market or order the Rock Shrimp Roll, Gulf Red Snapper, or Akaushi Burger from the restaurant at Mongers Market + Kitchen.
Q: What are the most affordable neighborhoods in Austin?
A: While there are many areas that offer affordable living in Austin, Windsor Hills stands out as one of the best 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 top amenities without breaking the bank.
North University
- Home Price: $365,567 median purchase price; $1,285 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 89% 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, Ranch, 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 buy your first-ever fixed gear bike at Clown Dog Bikes. Purchase tickets to a live concert, DJ, or comedy act at Austin performance venue The Ballroom at Spiderhouse. Lather sauce onto Beef Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, or Barbecue Chicken at Black’s Barbecue. Feast on Trompo Al Pastor Tacos, Nopales Tacos, or the Quesadilla Campechana 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 Super Nachos at Crown & Anchor Pub. Or enjoy live music on the outdoor patio while eating a Thrive Calzone, Midtown Melt, Roasted Cremini Sandwich, or other scratch kitchen specials from Thrive Craft House.
Q: Is Austin affordable?
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.
Windsor Hills
- Home Price: $259,667 median purchase price; $1,122 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 70% 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! Housing in the Windsor Hills neighborhood is roughly half the cost of Austin’s real estate average, and cozy Ranch-style homes mixed with Modern constructions 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—and availability of healthcare options like Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Plus, this area borders I-35, 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 ATX things to do 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 at 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. Flip on trampolines, attempt the Ninja Warrior Course, or play arcade games at Jump Party USA. Go out for a Shrimp Chimichanga, Enchiladas Verde, or a Mushroom Quesadilla at Los Potrillos Restaurant. Savor Crispy Tacos, Chicken Cheese Steak, or Fried Catfish with Fries at Ken’s Tacos. Taste the Classic Hamburger, Buddy’s Spicy with Cheese, or Double Classic with Cheese at Buddy’s Burger. Or let the folks at Seoulju Korean Kitchen & Bar “soju a good time” with the Kimchi Fried Rice, Spicy Rice Cakes, or Dakgalbi.
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.
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The team at Extra Space Storage understand 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
