Schools are an important factor in many home buyer’s decisions to buy a home in Austin. If you’re looking for a home in Austin and schools are your top priority, you might be having trouble finding neighborhoods that are also affordable. The top school districts do a great job of promoting their excellence, which has caused prices to go up significantly over the past few years. Though the larger school districts aren’t rated as well as a whole, there are highly rated schools within these bigger districts where you’ll also find affordable homes. If that sounds intriguing to you, here are the Top 10 most affordable Austin neighborhoods with the best schools.
Mapped: Top 10 Most Affordable Austin Neighborhoods with the Best Schools
Below you’ll see a map of where these neighborhoods are located in comparison to each other and to Downtown. You’ll see there are three areas of Austin where you can find the most affordable homes with the best schools: two in Northwest Austin and one in Southwest Austin. The map is interactive, so use it to explore the area.
#1: Olympic Heights West
- Area of Town: Southwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78748
- School District: Austin ISD
- Elementary School: Baranoff (8/10)
- Middle School: Bailey (6/10)
- High School: Bowie (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $485,300
- Median Home Price: $475,000
- Price Range: Mid $400k’s – High $500k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 3/3
- Average SqFt: 1,633
Olympic Heights West is a small section of the larger, Olympic Heights neighborhood. Zoned for Bowie HS instead of Akins HS makes this neighborhood the second most affordable Austin neighborhood with the best schools. Olympic Heights West homes were built in the last 3-4 years, so they have the finishes today’s buyers are looking for, making them even more affordable for the buyer who is going to make updates to an older home.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Olympic Heights West Neighborhood Guide.
Olympic Heights West Homes for Sale
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#2: Woods of Brushy Creek
- Area of Town: Northwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78717
- School District: Round Rock ISD
- Elementary School: Great Oaks (9/10)
- Middle School: Cedar Valley (9/10)
- High School: Round Rock (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $599,907
- Median Home Price: $585,000
- Price Range: Mid $400k’s – Mid $800k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,430
The Woods of Brushy Creek is an established Northwest Austin neighborhood built from the 1980s to the mid 2000s. Conveniently located only 1 mile from Highway 45, residents can be most places in Austin within minutes. Unlike some of the neighborhoods on this list, Woods of Brushy Creek has a community pool, park and nature trails for residents to enjoy. Not only is Woods of Brushy Creek the most affordable Austin neighborhood with the best schools, it’s also one of the more amenitized neighborhoods.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Woods of Brushy Creek Neighborhood Guide.
Woods of Brushy Creek Homes for Sale
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#3: Southland Oaks
- Area of Town: Southwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78748
- School District: Austin ISD
- Elementary School: Baranoff (8/10)
- Middle School: Bailey (6/10)
- High School: Bowie (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $640,434
- Median Home Price: $599,000
- Price Range: High $300k’s – $1MM
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,235
Southland Oaks is a newer section of Shady Hollow with homes built in the 1990s and 2000s. There are two sections to the neighborhood – a less expensive section with smaller homes near Baranoff Elementary and a more expensive section with larger homes on larger lots. Both sections attend the same highly rated schools and have access to the Villages of Shady Hollow community pool and community center. If you’re looking for good schools and want to live South, Southland Oaks is an ideal place for you to start your search.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Southland Oaks Neighborhood Guide.
Southland Oaks Homes for Sale
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#4: Sendera
- Area of Town: Southwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78749
- School District: Austin ISD
- Elementary School: Cowan (8/10)
- Middle School: Bailey (6/10) or Covington (5/10)
- High School: Bowie (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $609,329
- Median Home Price: $600,000
- Price Range: Mid $400k’s – Mid $800k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 3/2
- Average SqFt: 1,967
Sendera is located in Southwest Austin near Slaughter and MoPac and is ideal for someone who wants to live South, but who needs to be near MoPac to make their commute easier. Made up of about 800 homes, Sendera residents enjoy a community pool, park, playground and picnic area with a low monthly HOA fee.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Sendera Neighborhood Guide.
Sendera Homes for Sale
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#5: Legend Oaks
- Area of Town: Southwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78749
- School District: Austin ISD
- Elementary School: Patton (7/10) or Mills (9/10)
- Middle School: Small (7/10)
- High School: Austin (6/10) or Bowie (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $595,288
- Median Home Price: $604,000
- Price Range: High $400k’s – Mid $600k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 3/2
- Average SqFt: 1,922
Built in the late 1980s and 1990s, Legend Oaks is one of Southwest Austin’s more popular neighborhoods. Though it’s only minutes from Downtown Austin, the community has more of a peaceful, secluded feel with greenbelts and mature landscaping surrounding it. Homes are made of brick or stone and many of them have been updated with the finishes today’s buyers are looking for. Combine that with good schools, a community park and pool and you have a pretty in demand South Austin neighborhood.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Legend Oaks Neighborhood Guide.
Legend Oaks Homes for Sale
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#6: Bridges at Bear Creek
- Area of Town: Southwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78748
- School District: Austin ISD
- Elementary School: Baranoff (8/10)
- Middle School: Bailey (6/10)
- High School: Bowie (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $617,500
- Median Home Price: $617,000
- Price Range: High $500k’s – Mid $600k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,493
Bridges at Bear Creek is a mid size neighborhood in Southwest Austin. Though not as well known as neighboring Shady Hollow, it is the perfect choice for someone looking for the neighborhood’s location and schools but doesn’t need the amenities. Homes range from a more modest size on a smaller lot, to a large home on an acre lot, so whatever you’re looking for, you’re likely to find it there. Plus, homes are built within the last decade and the insides are finished out with higher end finishes.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Bridges at Bear Creek Neighborhood Guide.
Bridges at Bear Creek Homes for Sale
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#7: Oak Brook
- Area of Town: Northwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78717
- School District: Round Rock ISD
- Elementary School: Brushy Creek (7/10) or Great Oaks (9/10)
- Middle School: Cedar Valley (9/10)
- High School: McNeil (5/10) or Round Rock (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $626,167
- Median Home Price: $625,000
- Price Range: Low-Mid $600k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,608
Part of the larger, Brushy Creek area of Northwest Austin, Oak Brook was built in the late 1990s and early 2000s by popular builders like Wilshire, Ryland and Scott Felder. Homes sit on larger than average lots and the mature trees give the neighborhood character. If you like the look of Davis Spring but are priced out, Oak Brook is a popular back up choice as it looks very similar.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Oak Brook Neighborhood Guide.
Oak Brook Homes for Sale
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#8: Avery Ranch in the Leader ISD
- Area of Town: Northwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78717
- School District: Leander ISD
- Elementary School: Rutledge (8/10)
- Middle School: Artie L Henry (5/10)
- High School: Vista Ridge (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $671,342
- Median Home Price: $628,000
- Price Range: MId $400k’s – $1.75MM
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,407
Avery Ranch is an enormous, master-planned community in Northwest Austin spanning two school districts: the Leander ISD and the Round Rock ISD. Homes in the Leander ISD section of Avery Ranch make the list of most affordable Austin neighborhoods with the best schools as they are about $100k less, on average, than Avery Ranch homes in the Round Rock ISD. Avery Ranch homeowners have access to the same top rated amenities in one of five amenity centers, but just don’t pay as much for them.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Avery Ranch Neighborhood Guide.
Leander ISD Avery Ranch Homes for Sale
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#9: Barrington Oaks
- Area of Town: Northwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78759
- School District: Round Rock ISD
- Elementary School: Kathy Caraway (6/10)
- Middle School: Canyon Vista (9/10)
- High School: Westwood (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $655,734
- Median Home Price: $650,000
- Price Range: Mid $300k’s – Mid $800k’s
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/2
- Average SqFt: 1,866
Barrington Oaks is an established Northwest Austin neighborhood with mature trees and unique, open floor plans. Some of the homes have been updated with granite counters and stainless steel appliances, while others are in their more original condition. With highly rated schools, Barrington Oaks is ideal for someone looking for a Northwest Austin home but doesn’t want to spend more than they have to.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Barrington Oaks Neighborhood Guide.
Barrington Oaks Homes for Sale
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#10: Village at Western Oaks
- Area of Town: Southwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78749
- School District: Austin ISD
- Elementary School: Mills (9/10) or Patton (7/10)
- Middle School: Small (7/10) or Gorzycki (9/10)
- High School: Austin (6/10) or Bowie (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $675,874
- Median Home Price: $651,454
- Price Range: Mid $400k’s – $1MM
- Average Beds/Baths: 3/3
- Average SqFt: 2,157
Village at Western Oaks is one of the most diverse neighborhoods on our list. Built from the 1980s through the mid 2000s, homes vary in size, shape and style. It is also more geographically spread out, with two sets of elementary, middle and high schools. The higher rated section is the Bowie High School district, though the Austin High School district is also well regarded. The neighborhood is also split into two sections when it comes to HOA’s: one section that has mandatory membership in and HOA and one that does not. If you’re looking for a convenient South Austin location with easy access to MoPac and Downtown Austin, Village at Western Oaks might be a place to start your search.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Village at Western Oaks Neighborhood Guide.
Village at Western Oaks Homes for Sale
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#11: Meadows of Brushy Creek
- Area of Town: Northwest Austin
- Zip Code: 78717
- School District: Round Rock ISD
- Elementary School: Great Oaks (9/10)
- Middle School: Cedar Valley (9/10)
- High School: Round Rock (7/10)
- Average Home Price: $668,287
- Median Home Price: $675,000
- Price Range: High $400k’s – $1MM
- Average Beds/Baths: 4/3
- Average SqFt: 2,656
Meadows of Brushy Creek is part of the Brushy Creek MUD in Northwest Austin. Built in the late 1980s through 1990s, homes are larger than you’d expect, some over 3,000 sq ft and sit on larger than average (¼ acre) lots. Meadows of Brushy Creek is the ideal choice for you if you are looking in Northwest Austin and need a little bit more space for your money.
For more info and to search homes for sale, visit our Meadows of Brushy Creek Neighborhood Guide.
Meadows of Brushy Creek Homes for Sale
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How Did We Determine the Quality of Schools?
To consistently compare schools, we used school ratings from GreatSchools.org. To be included in the neighborhood list, schools had to be rated at least 6/10.
How Did We Determine Average and Median Price and Size Data and School Ratings?
We used sold data from ACTRIS for the past year (5/1/2021-4/30/2022). School ratings are GreatSchools ratings as of June 2024.
Not Sure if These Neighborhoods Are Right for You?
Try our Austin Neighborhood Finder. With some additional info about the type of neighborhood you’re looking for, we can send you a list of neighborhoods that more closely match your vision. We know the Austin real estate market and Austin like the back of our hand, so even if you can only describe the type of neighborhood you’d like to live, we can show you where to find it. If you’d like to try it out, visit our Austin Neighborhood Finder.
Looking for a Home in One of the Top 10 Most Affordable Austin Neighborhoods with the Best Schools?
With our combined 60+ years of experience, we specialize in helping buyers find the right home in the right neighborhood for you and your family. We can help you navigate the market like a pro, so you’ll have a stress free home buying experience. For more info about our team and our free home buyer representation program, check out our Austin Home Buyers section. Then call us at (512) 827-8323, email us at info@11OaksRealty.com or fill out our Buyer Survey to schedule a no obligation consultation.
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