Market Overview for Northwest Austin
There are 804 active listings in Northwest Austin with a median list price of $600K and a median sold price of $585K.
Homes average 41 days on market.
Over the past 30 days, 187 homes have sold, with 2282 sales in the past 12 months.
The average price per square foot is $360.
About Northwest Austin
Northwest Austin is one of the largest and most established residential areas in the city, stretching roughly from MoPac and the 183/360 interchange northward to the 183/45 corridor, with I-35 forming the eastern boundary. The area encompasses well-known sub-neighborhoods including Great Hills, Balcones Woods, Jester, Mesa Park, and Barrington Oaks, spanning multiple zip codes including 78759, 78750, and portions of 78729.
The real estate market in Northwest Austin covers a wide range. The median home price sits around $558,000, though this varies by sub-neighborhood — Northwest Hills properties average closer to $745,000, while areas near the Research Boulevard corridor offer more affordable options in the $400,000s. The housing stock mixes 1970s-1980s original construction with newer infill and remodeled homes, and lot sizes are generally larger than what's available in central Austin.
The area is primarily served by Austin ISD, with the Anderson High School feeder pattern covering much of the southern portion and Round Rock ISD serving some northern sections. Doss Elementary is a top-rated campus and a significant driver of property values in the Northwest Hills section. Anderson High School has operated an International Baccalaureate program since 1991.
Northwest Austin benefits from its position between two major employment corridors — the Parmer Lane tech corridor to the north (Apple, Samsung, IBM) and the Domain mixed-use district to the east. Residents generally reach downtown in 20-25 minutes via MoPac, and the Lakeline Mall and Cedar Park retail areas are 10-15 minutes north.
Living in Northwest Austin
Living in Northwest Austin centers on a balance of established neighborhood character and access to the region's tech employment hubs. The area draws a professional demographic — about 92% of workers hold white-collar positions, and the median household income is roughly $90,000. About 31% of households have children, reflecting a mix of families, working professionals, and empty nesters.
Day-to-day life here revolves around the trail systems along Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and Shoal Creek, the shopping and dining options along Research Boulevard and Great Hills Trail, and the proximity to the Domain's restaurants and entertainment. Commutes to the Parmer Lane tech campuses run 10-15 minutes, while downtown is 20-25 minutes via MoPac. The area's roughly 76,400 households make it one of the most populated sections of Austin, yet the tree-covered terrain and winding streets maintain a suburban feel.
Things to Do in Northwest Austin
- Balcones District Park: A large community park with playgrounds, sports courts, a swimming pool, and picnic areas in the heart of Northwest Austin.
- Balcones Canyonlands Preserve: A 30,000-acre protected preserve bordering Northwest Austin with miles of hiking trails through native Hill Country terrain and endangered species habitat.
- The Domain: A 700,000+ square-foot open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment district about 10 minutes east, anchoring north Austin's social scene.
- Great Hills Trail Dining: A concentration of restaurants along Great Hills Trail including Asian, Mediterranean, and American options popular with the local tech workforce.
- Lakeline Mall Area: A regional shopping center about 15 minutes north with major retailers, restaurants, and entertainment options.
- Northern Walnut Creek Trail: A multi-use trail system running through Northwest Austin, popular for jogging, cycling, and dog walking under a mature tree canopy.
Major Employers in Northwest Austin
- Apple (Technology): Apple's 133-acre North Austin campus is approximately 15 minutes north, with 5,000+ employees and capacity for 15,000
- The Domain (Mixed-Use): The 700,000+ square-foot mixed-use development about 10 minutes east houses offices for Meta, Indeed, Vrbo, and other tech companies
- Samsung Austin Semiconductor (Manufacturing): Samsung's chip fabrication plant in north Austin employs about 5,000 people and is accessible via MoPac or 183
- IBM (Technology): IBM's Burnet Road campus has been a north Austin employment anchor for decades, with roughly 6,000 area employees
Northwest Austin Schools
Northwest Austin is served by Austin ISD. Students typically attend Hill Elementary or Doss Elementary (Austin ISD) or Highland Park Elementary or Spicewood Elementary or River Place Elementary for elementary school, Murchison Middle School or Canyon Vista Middle School or Noel Grisham Middle School or Lamar Middle School (Austin ISD) or Four Points Middle School for middle school, and Anderson High School or Westwood High School or McCallum High School or Vandegrift High School for high school.
School District: Austin ISD
Public Schools
Austin Independent School District
- Davis Elementary
- Padron Elementary
- Murchison Middle
- Burnet Middle
- Anderson High School
- Navarro Early College High School
Leander Independent School District
- River Place Elementary
- Laura Welch Bush Elementary
- Canyon Ridge Middle
- Four Points Middle
- Vandegrift High School
Round Rock Independent School District
- Live Oak Elementary
- Kathy Caraway Elementary
- Canyon Vista Middle
- Pearson Ranch Middle
- Westwood High School
- McNeil High School
Pflugerville Independent School District
- River Oaks Elementary
- Parmer Lane Elementary
- Westview Middle
- John B Connally High School
Pre-Schools
- Stepping Stone School at Northwest Austin - Infant, preschool, pre-K, and after-school care
- Little Sunshine's Playhouse of Four Points - Early childhood education near Lake Travis
- The Learning Experience - Anderson Mill - Full-day childcare for ages 6 weeks through 5 years
- Bethany Preschool - Christian play-based preschool for 18 months through pre-K
Private Schools
- Challenger School - Pond Springs - Top-ranked private school in 78729 serving multiple grade levels
- Kirby Hall School - Pre-K4 through 8th grade school in the north Austin area
- Hyde Park Schools - PK-12 independent school with 746 students and 14 sports programs
Frequently Asked Questions
What neighborhoods are in Northwest Austin?
Northwest Austin encompasses several sub-neighborhoods including Great Hills, Balcones Woods, Jester, Mesa Park, Northwest Hills, and Barrington Oaks. The area spans zip codes 78759, 78750, and portions of 78729.
How much do homes cost in Northwest Austin?
The median home price is approximately $558,000, though prices vary by sub-neighborhood. Northwest Hills averages around $745,000, while areas near Research Boulevard start in the $400,000s. Homes typically sell within about 81 days.
What school district serves Northwest Austin?
Most of Northwest Austin falls within Austin ISD, feeding into Anderson High School, which has operated an IB program since 1991. Some northern sections are served by Round Rock ISD. Doss Elementary is one of the highest-rated campuses in the area.
How far is Northwest Austin from downtown?
Downtown Austin is about 20-25 minutes south via MoPac. The Domain is roughly 10 minutes east, and the Parmer Lane tech corridor (Apple, Samsung) is about 15 minutes north.
What major employers are near Northwest Austin?
Apple's 133-acre campus (5,000+ employees), Samsung's semiconductor plant (5,000 employees), IBM's Burnet Road campus, and The Domain's tech offices (Meta, Indeed, Vrbo) are all within 10-20 minutes of Northwest Austin.
Is Northwest Austin good for families?
Yes, about 31% of the area's 76,400 households include children. Doss Elementary is one of Central Texas's top-rated campuses, Anderson HS offers an IB program, and the area has extensive parks and trail systems including access to the 30,000-acre Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.