Moving to Southwest Austin · 2026
Southwest Austin Relocation Guide: Neighborhoods, Schools & Living in 78737, 78739 & 78749
Southwest Austin sits where the city meets the Hill Country, about 11 to 18 miles from downtown. Families move here for Austin ISD and Dripping Springs ISD schools, parks and greenbelts, and a mix of established and newer neighborhoods. Expect about 33 to 40 minutes to downtown at morning rush hour.
By Justin Cofield, Texas Realtor·Updated October 2026
Why families move here
Thinking about moving to Southwest Austin?
This guide is designed to help you understand the key neighborhoods, school zones, commute patterns and lifestyle differences across 78737, 78739 and 78749.
Southwest Austin is not one-size-fits-all. Each area offers a very different living experience depending on whether you’re prioritizing schools, space, commute or community feel.
Below is an overview to help you get oriented before making a move.
Before you move
What to know about living in Southwest Austin
What homes cost
The median sale was $580,000 in 78749, $822,000 in 78739 and $830,000 in 78737 for homes sold July through September 2026. Prices are up about 5–6% from a year earlier in 78749 and 78739.
Property taxes
Inside Austin city limits with Austin ISD, the 2025 combined rate was about $2.05 per $100 of value: Austin ISD $0.9252, City $0.5240, Travis County $0.3758, Central Health $0.1180 and ACC $0.1034. Primary homes get a $140,000 school-tax homestead exemption. The city set $0.5799 for 2026–27. Some areas, like Shady Hollow, pay a MUD tax instead of the city rate.
Austin ISD and Dripping Springs ISD
Most of 78739 and 78749 is in Austin ISD, including neighborhoods that feed Bowie High School and Gorzycki Middle School. Most of 78737 (Belterra, Reunion Ranch, Highpointe) is in Dripping Springs ISD. School lines don’t follow ZIP codes, so confirm zoning for the exact address.
Getting to downtown
At 8:20 AM on a weekday: 33 min from Sendera (10.9 mi), 35 min from Circle C Ranch (12.4 mi) and 40 min from Belterra (18.3 mi) to the Capitol. MoPac and US 290 are the main routes.
Power, water and internet
Inside the city limits most homes have Austin Energy and Austin Water. Areas outside the city, like Shady Hollow, have their own utility district, and parts of 78737 are served by Pedernales Electric Cooperative. Check internet options for each address.
Everyday life
Circle C Metropolitan Park, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and the Barton Creek Greenbelt are close by, with shopping at Escarpment Village and the Shops at Arbor Trails. Many neighborhoods have active HOAs and community events.
Email me the Southwest Austin Relocation Guide
Free printable guide plus a moving checklist
Moving from out of town
How buying a Southwest Austin home from out of town works
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A 20-minute call
Talk through your timeline, budget, schools and commute so the search starts in the right ZIP codes.
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Get pre-approved
Use a lender licensed in Texas. Ask about the total monthly payment, including taxes and any MUD.
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Narrow the neighborhoods
Use the ZIP guides below to build a short list that fits your schools, lot size and commute.
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Tour by video or in person
Live video tours for the first look, then one visit to see your top homes and drive the commute at rush hour.
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Offer and option period
In Texas the option period gives you time for inspections and to confirm school zoning and HOA rules.
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Close and move in
Sign electronically where allowed, set up utilities for your address, and file for your homestead exemption.
Explore by ZIP code
Quick overview of Southwest Austin ZIP codes
Convenient and value-driven
- Convenient location, mature neighborhoods
- Austin ISD
- Sendera, Maple Run, Legend Oaks
Master-planned and amenity-rich
- Strong amenities, established demand
- Austin ISD
- Circle C Ranch, Meridian, part of Shady Hollow
Larger lots, Hill Country feel
- Newer homes and more space
- Mostly Dripping Springs ISD
- Belterra, Reunion Ranch, Highpointe
Where families start
Popular neighborhoods for families
Talk to a local
Book a 20-minute relocation call with Justin
Tell Justin where you’re moving from and what matters most. He’ll suggest the neighborhoods and ZIP codes to start with and answer questions about schools, taxes and the commute.
20-minute phone call. Pick any open time and Justin calls you at the number you enter.
Common questions
Moving to Southwest Austin: FAQs
Is Southwest Austin a good place to live?
Southwest Austin is popular with families because it combines Austin ISD and Dripping Springs ISD schools, parks and greenbelts, and master-planned and established neighborhoods, about 11 to 18 miles from downtown. The trade-offs are rush-hour traffic on MoPac and US 290 and higher prices in ZIP codes like 78739.
How much are property taxes in Southwest Austin?
Inside the Austin city limits with Austin ISD, the 2025 combined rate for the City of Austin, Travis County, Central Health, Austin Community College and Austin ISD was about $2.05 per $100 of value before exemptions. A primary home gets a $140,000 school-tax homestead exemption. Some areas, like Shady Hollow, are outside the city limits and pay a MUD tax instead, and most of 78737 is in Hays County and Dripping Springs ISD.
How long is the commute from Southwest Austin to downtown?
On a weekday at 8:20 AM in October 2026, Google Maps showed about 33 minutes from Sendera (78749, 10.9 miles), 35 minutes from Circle C Ranch (78739, 12.4 miles) and 40 minutes from Belterra (78737, 18.3 miles) to the Texas Capitol. Outside rush hour the drive is shorter.
What do homes cost in Southwest Austin?
Over the three months ending September 2026, the median sale price was about $580,000 in 78749, $822,000 in 78739 and $830,000 in 78737, based on Redfin data for all home types.
Which school districts serve Southwest Austin?
Most of 78739 and 78749 is in Austin ISD, including neighborhoods that feed Bowie High School. Most of 78737, including Belterra, Reunion Ranch and Highpointe, is in Dripping Springs ISD. School lines don’t follow ZIP codes, so confirm zoning for the exact address.
Can I buy a home in Southwest Austin before I move?
Yes. Many relocating buyers start with a video call, tour homes by live video or on a short visit, and sign documents electronically. Get pre-approved with a lender licensed in Texas first, and plan at least one in-person visit to drive the commute.
Should I choose Southwest Austin or Dripping Springs?
Southwest Austin is closer to the city, with shorter commutes and more established neighborhoods. Dripping Springs offers more space, newer homes and a small-town Hill Country feel, with a longer drive. 78737 sits in between: Austin mailing addresses, mostly Dripping Springs ISD.
Connect with a local Realtor
Your guide to Southwest Austin
Hi, I’m Justin Cofield. I help families relocating to Southwest Austin and Dripping Springs find the right neighborhood, school and home, often before they arrive.
- Brokerage
- REAL Brokerage LLC · Texas license 701768
- Experience
- 9 years in Texas real estate · 70+ five-star Google reviews
- Serves
- Southwest Austin, Dripping Springs and Driftwood
- Contact
- 512.971.0157 · justin@justincofield.com
70+ five-star reviews
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Keep exploring
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Sources: Home prices: Redfin, median sale price for all home types, three months ending September 2026. Property taxes: 2025 adopted rates of Austin ISD, the City of Austin, Travis County, Central Health and Austin Community College (City of Austin; Austin Community College; Community Impact, September 2025); homestead exemption: Texas Tribune. Drive times: Google Maps, Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 8:20 AM; they vary with traffic. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
