If you’re thinking of moving to Austin, but don’t want to give up wide open spaces and that big Texas sky, you may want to consider one of the suburbs. We’ve compiled a list of the best of the best. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly community or a thriving city where you still have room to spread out, odds are you’ll find the perfect spot on this list. Let’s take a look at the 11 best places to live near Austin.
Key Stats:
Wimberley kicks off our list of best Austin suburbs. Home buyers in Wimberley will have plenty of room to spread out in spacious single family homes on multiple acre lots. Residents can enjoy local art at the Wimberley Fine Arts Center, cool off during the hot Texas summer at the scenic Blue Hole swimming hole, or experience thrills and gorgeous views at Wimberley Zipline Adventures. Grab fresh, seasonal produce at the Wimberley Farmers Market or enjoy an upscale meal at Jobell Cafe & Bistro. The Wimberley Valley Winery offers tasting and pairing classes, perfect for a weekend out with friends.
Key Stats:
The beautiful suburb of Georgetown provides a more laid back close-knit community vibe than nearby Austin. Home buyers will find a range of housing options, from spacious new construction single family homes to quaint historic houses. Stroll through historic downtown Georgetown and enjoy Victorian architecture and landmark buildings, then catch a live show at the local Palace Theater. Art enthusiasts will love the Georgetown Art Center, which features nationally renowned artists alongside local talent. Outdoor recreation along Lake Georgetown includes fishing, boating, and hiking. Foodies have plenty of options in downtown Georgetown, from laid back gastropub, 600 Degrees Pizzeria & Draft House, to healthy Asian fusion joint, Nancy’s Sky Garden.
Key Stats:
Those who want to live the country club lifestyle 24/7 will love the small village of The Hills. The Hills of Lakeway provides golf, tennis, swimming, a spa, and fitness centers to residents. Large new construction single-family homes with immaculately maintained yards are common in this Austin suburb. The Hills of Lakeway club provides fine and casual dining to residents. Creekside serves steak, seafood, and sandwiches with golf course views, while Bogey’s Pub is the perfect spot to relax with friends over a drink in the evening.
Key Stats:
Tied with The Hills for third is the neighboring suburb of Lakeway. Stately single family homes, some with views of the Colorado River and Lake Travis, are common in this Austin suburb. Outdoor enthusiasts will love Lakeway City Park, bordered by the Hurst Creek Arm of the river on the east, and taking their boats out on the water. Community events and the Lakeway Activity Center provide great opportunities for residents of all ages to come together. Lakeway also has numerous restaurants and bars sure to please local foodies. Grab a bite to eat at The League Kitchen & Tavern, Rocco’s Grill, or Santa Catarina Restaurant.
Key Stats:
The suburb of Cedar Park offers plenty of amenities, and has a variety of spacious single-family homes and townhouses for residents to pick from. Cedar Park has a number of city parks with playgrounds, fields, and swimming pools that are perfect for a day out with the kids, including Elizabeth Milburn Park and Champion Park. Dog owners will love local dog park, Cedar Bark Park. Grab a bite to eat at local restaurants like Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill or Local Slice Pizza. Convenient shopping from big name retailers and specialty stores is available at the indoor Lakeline Mall.
Key Stats:
Outdoor recreation enthusiasts will love the sixth suburb on our list, Pflugerville. With three miles of walking trails, a playground, a boat launch, and beaches, Lake Pflugerville is the perfect spot for residents to get back to nature. Home buyers looking for large single family homes with well maintained yards will find plenty of options on the quiet, residential streets of this suburb. Thriving locally owned businesses can be found in downtown Pflugerville, clustered along Pecan and Main Street. Get your morning jolt at local Dazzle Coffee, grab a bite to eat at Taste of Ethiopia, or pick up some pastries at La Patisserie By Oven Fresh Delights. Local boutiques and specialty stores, like Wink Boutique, are the perfect spots to pick up a gift for someone special or yourself.
Key Stats:
With just over 8,500 residents, Buda is the perfect Austin suburb for residents who want a close-knit community. New construction single-family homes with large yards are common choices for home buyers in Buda. Community events like Buda Fun Fish and the annual Easter Egg Hunt are kid-friendly and a great way to get to know your neighbors. Though Buda is small, this suburb doesn’t lack amenities. Grab a jolt at local cafe, Summermoon, get some Cajun food and enjoy live music at Cleveland’s, or step back in time at old fashioned Buda Drug Store & Soda Fountain. Local boutiques like Buda’s Red Door are sure to please fashionistas.
Key Stats:
With the third lowest crimes per 100k, Hutto isn’t just one of the best Austin suburbs, it’s also one of the safest. Home buyers searching in Hutto will find plenty of space to spread out in large single-family homes with sizable yards. Enjoy the beautiful Texas weather and cool off by the water at Hutto Lake Park or enjoy some down home cooking at Texas Cafe & Pie Shop. Community events in downtown Hutto, like annual Crawfish Festival, CO-OP Market Nights, and the Summer Movie Series, are great ways to get to know your new neighbors.
Key Stats:
Home buyers looking for wide open spaces and a whole lot of that blue Texas sky will find it in rural Liberty Hill. Single-family homes on multiple acres give residents the feeling of country living, but that doesn’t mean this suburb is sleepy. With the second most amenities per capita, residents still have plenty of local restaurants, shopping, and nightlife options. Grab a bite to eat at Dahlia Cafe and enjoy some live music on the weekend. Neighborhood sports bar, Shot Time Bar, is a great place to grab drinks and play pool with friends. Antique lovers will find plenty of treasures at local Legacy Vintage Store, while nearby campsites like Tejas Camp are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
Key Stats:
Tied for 10th on our list of best Austin suburbs is Leander, with a range of options for home buyers, from affordable ranch style houses to large two story homes with sizeable yards. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the courts, fields, and disc golf course at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park, while dog owners will enjoy the Doghouse Drinkery Dog Park, which serves beer and wine to local dog walkers. Local restaurants, like Mouton’s Southern Bistro, are sure to please foodies. Residents can also grab a slice and a drink and watch the game with friends at Southern’s Pizza & Sports Pub.
Key Stats:
The last Austin suburb on our list, Round Rock, is a thriving small city with the most amenities per capita. Home buyers will still have plenty of space to spread out in spacious single family homes with large yards. Get to know the neighbors over live music at local events like Music on Main Street, enjoy convenient shopping at the Round Rock Premium Outlets, or enjoy delicious southern cooking at Jack Allen’s Kitchen. Nightlife enthusiasts will love this Austin suburb’s numerous bars and lounges, including cozy Wine Sensation or lively The Rock Sports Bar. The Round Rock public schools are excellent, so this suburb is a good pick for families.
To figure out which Austin suburbs were the absolute best, we took a look at the following criteria:
After collecting data for each of the above categories, we ranked each suburb and averaged the scores. The suburbs with the 11 lowest overall scores made up our list of the best Austin suburbs. To see how the rest of the suburbs we ranked measured up, check out the table below: 
Like This Post? You’ll Definitely Love These:
