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$450,000
-2.3% YoY
96
Average listing duration
5.4 mo
buyer's market
+-2.3%
Price appreciation
Last updated 2026-03-19
What to know about buying in Austin
Austin's housing market is undergoing the most significant correction of any major US metro, and that is creating the best buying conditions the city has seen since before the pandemic. After home values surged roughly 60% from 2020 to 2022, driven by a tsunami of tech-worker migration from California and the Northeast, prices have pulled back meaningfully. The $450,000 median is down 2.3% year-over-year, inventory has climbed to 5.4 months, and homes average 96 days on market. Price reductions are common, sellers are negotiating on closing costs and repairs, and the panic-buying frenzy that defined Austin real estate for years has evaporated. For sellers, the market still rewards accurate pricing and quality presentation, but overpricing by even 5% gets punished with months of sitting.
The economic engine behind Austin's housing demand has not weakened, it has diversified. Tesla's Gigafactory and headquarters, Apple's $1 billion campus, Google's downtown office expansion, Oracle's relocated headquarters, Samsung's $17 billion semiconductor fab in Taylor (30 minutes north), and Dell Technologies in Round Rock create a tech employment corridor that rivals Silicon Valley in density if not in scale. The University of Texas at Austin generates a steady pipeline of engineering and business talent. State government adds 60,000+ jobs that are immune to tech cycles. The result is an economy with multiple pillars rather than a single-industry dependency, which means the housing market correction is about pricing, not about demand collapse.
The elephant in every Austin real estate conversation is property taxes. Texas has no state income tax, and that is the primary reason California and Northeast tech workers relocate here. But property taxes in the Austin metro range from 1.9% to 2.5% effective rate, among the highest in the nation. On a $450,000 home, that is $8,550-$11,250 per year, baked into monthly mortgage payments. MUD (Municipal Utility District) taxes in newer suburban developments like those in Cedar Park, Pflugerville, and Round Rock can add another 0.5-1.0%. The $100,000 homestead exemption for school district taxes (expanded by voters in 2023) helps primary residents, but the total tax burden still shocks relocators who compare Austin's sticker price to California without running the full monthly cost. An agent who builds total ownership cost, mortgage, property taxes, MUD taxes, HOA, insurance, into every showing prevents the most common Austin relocation mistake.
Neighborhoods in Austin
Every neighborhood has its own character, price point, and lifestyle. Here's what you need to know about Austin's most popular areas.
Downtown / South Congress
Austin's cultural epicenter. South Congress (SoCo) is lined with vintage shops, food trucks, live music venues, and the iconic "I Love You So Much" mural. Downtown offers Lady Bird Lake hike-and-bike trail, Zilker Park, and the Texas Capitol. High-rise condos and renovated bungalows coexist. Walk to Barton Springs Pool, ACL Festival grounds, and the vibrant Rainey Street entertainment district. The most urban, walkable part of Austin.
East Austin
Austin's fastest-evolving neighborhood, formerly a working-class Latino community, now a hub of breweries, art galleries, craft cocktail bars, and creative studios along East 6th Street and East Cesar Chavez. Rapidly gentrifying with new construction townhomes alongside original bungalows. Walkable, bikeable, and minutes from downtown. The epicenter of Austin's startup and creative-class culture.
Westlake / West Austin
Austin's most affluent enclave. Eanes ISD is the top-rated school district in the metro (Westlake High School consistently ranks among the best in Texas). Rolling Hill Country terrain with canyon views, mature oaks, and large lots. Home to Dell executives, tech founders, and UT faculty. The Davenport Village and Hill Country Galleria provide upscale shopping. Property taxes are among the highest in the metro due to premium school district levies.
Cedar Park
Fast-growing suburb 20 miles north of downtown. Leander ISD schools, H-E-B Plus, and the Cedar Park Center (home of the Austin Spurs and Texas Stars) anchor the community. New master-planned subdivisions with modern floor plans at prices well below central Austin. Toll Road 183A provides a 25-minute commute to the Domain or downtown. Popular with young families priced out of central Austin who want good schools and new construction.
Round Rock
Home to Dell Technologies world headquarters and a massive Samsung semiconductor fab. Round Rock ISD is highly rated and the city's identity revolves around family, schools, and sports. The Round Rock Express (minor league baseball), Old Settlers Park, and a revitalized downtown with craft breweries and restaurants. More affordable than Austin proper with strong employment anchors. The Premium Outlets and IKEA draw regional shoppers.
Pflugerville
Austin metro's best value play. Pflugerville ISD schools, new-construction subdivisions, and a median price that undercuts Round Rock and Cedar Park. German heritage celebrated annually at the Deutschen Pfest. Stone Hill Town Center and the 183 Toll provide retail and commuting convenience. Popular with first-time buyers, military families from Camp Mabry, and cost-conscious tech workers who want suburban space without the 45-minute commute of far-flung exurbs.
How we match you
Most referral platforms won't tell you how they pick agents or what they charge them. We think you should know both. Here's exactly how Agentsorted finds your agent in Austin.
What we evaluate
Transaction volume
Is this agent actively closing deals? The top 20% of agents handle 65% of all transactions. We focus on agents working the market right now and consistently putting deals together.
Client reviews
We look for a consistent pattern of positive feedback across multiple platforms. One glowing testimonial is easy to get. A track record of 4.5+ stars across dozens of real clients isn't.
Response time
78% of buyers end up working with the first agent who responds, and the industry average response time is over 15 hours. Our agents contact you the same day. If they don't, we replace them.
Neighborhood expertise
An agent who knows Austin well can spot pricing mistakes and negotiate from local knowledge that outsiders miss. We match on zip-code-level transaction history, not just a metro area.
Situation fit
Buying your first home is different from selling in a divorce or relocating for the military. We match you with agents who've closed deals in your specific situation, not just your zip code.
Most markets have thousands of licensed agents. We recommend the top 3%.
71% of licensed agents in the US didn't close a single deal last year. We start by removing them. Then we filter on closing record, reviews, response time, and local expertise. The rest never reach you.
How we make money
When your deal closes, the agent's brokerage pays us a 25% referral fee from their commission. On a $415,000 home at a 2.7% buyer agent commission, that's about $2,800 from the agent. You pay nothing.
| Platform | Referral fee | On $415K sale |
|---|---|---|
| Agentsorted | 25% | $2,801 |
| HomeLight | 33% | $3,698 |
| Zillow Flex | up to 40% | $4,482 |
| Most others | undisclosed | ? |
Based on 2.7% buyer agent commission. Only 40% of consumers know referral fees exist. We're telling you because you deserve to know where your agent's money goes.
What we don't do
- Agents can't pay for a higher ranking
- We never sell your contact information
- We don't send five agents racing to call you
- If your match isn't responsive, we replace them
Every platform in this space charges agents a referral fee. We're the only one that tells you about it upfront. That's the kind of company we want to be.
Commission in Austin
On a $450,000 home in Austin, here's what commissions look like with different platforms.
| Platform | Referral Fee | Agent Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Agentsorted | 25% | 75% |
| HomeLight | 33% | 67% |
| Clever Real Estate | 25-40% | 60-75% |
| Zillow Flex | Up to 40% | 60%+ |
Why this matters to you: When agents keep more of their commission, they can invest more time and resources into your transaction. At the Austin median price of $450,000, total commission is about $26,325. With Agentsorted's lower referral fee, your agent keeps ~$2,106 more than they would with HomeLight, money that translates to better service, not platform profit.
Specialist agents in Austin
Looking for an agent with specific expertise? We match you with specialists for every situation.
Austin real estate FAQ
Nearby markets
Exploring options outside Austin? These nearby markets may fit your budget and lifestyle.
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