Look, we get it. You opened your lease renewal notice, saw that your rent jumped 12%, and immediately started wondering if you can actually afford to keep living in the city you love. Your landlord’s kid just got a new BMW. Coincidence? We think not.
Here’s the thing about Austin in 2026: Yeah, home prices have actually cooled off from their pandemic-era insanity (down to a median of $500K from the utterly bonkers $550K peak), but “cooled off” still means you’re spending the GDP of a small nation just to own four walls and a roof. If one more California transplant tells you “Austin is SO affordable,” you have our permission to throw queso at them.
But before you rage-quit and move to Pflugerville (no shade, Pville), let’s talk about the neighborhoods in Austin where you can still live without selling a kidney. We’re talking real data, actual rent prices, and the honest trade-offs—because there’s no such thing as a perfect cheap apartment, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or selling something.
What “Affordable” Actually Means in Austin in 2026
Let’s establish a baseline for what we’re working with, because “affordable” in Austin is doing some serious mental gymnastics compared to the rest of Texas.
The Austin Reality Check:
- Median home price: $500,000 (Redfin, January 2026)
- Average rent (all sizes): $1,630/month (RentCafe, February 2026)
- Average 1-bedroom rent: $1,410/month
- Property tax rate (Travis County combined): Roughly 1.65% – 2.1% depending on your specific taxing districts
For context, the national average rent is about $1,638, which means Austin is technically 0.5% cheaper than the national average. Congrats, we’re slightly less expensive than Brooklyn! What an achievement.
And before you think buying will save you: the average Travis County homeowner is currently paying $10,823 in property taxes per year. That’s up from $7,167 in 2017. Your property taxes have increased by 51% in less than a decade. Fun!
Translation: “Affordable” in Austin means finding a place where your rent or mortgage doesn’t consume your entire income like a hungry hungry hippo.
Most Affordable Neighborhoods in Austin (Ranked by Reality)
Alright, let’s get into the actual neighborhoods where you can live without subsisting entirely on ramen. These are ranked by overall affordability, which factors in both rent and home prices.
Riverside / East Riverside-Oltorf
Average 1-BR rent: $941/month
Median home price: ~$320,000
Commute to downtown: 10-15 minutes
Who it’s best for: Students, recent grads, people who think “character” is code for “your AC might not work in July”
The vibe: Riverside is what happens when UT students, longtime Austin families, and people who genuinely enjoy living near Chili’s corporate headquarters all end up in the same ZIP code. It’s affordable for a reason—you’re trading location for some rough edges.
Pros:
- Actually close to downtown without downtown prices
- Tons of cheap eats and dive bars
- Access to the hike-and-bike trail
- You can still say you live “in Austin” at parties
Cons:
- Some areas feel sketchy after dark (use common sense)
- Lots of older apartment complexes with “vintage” amenities (translation: broken)
- Traffic on Riverside is a special kind of hell during rush hour
- Your Uber driver has definitely been to your complex before and not for a great reason
Dove Springs
Average rent: Varies (mostly houses/townhomes, avg around $1,200-1,500)
Median home price: ~$300,000
Commute to downtown: 20-25 minutes
Who it’s best for: Families, first-time buyers, people who don’t need to be within stumbling distance of Rainey Street
The vibe: Southeast Austin’s best-kept secret. Dove Springs is largely residential, family-oriented, and way more chill than anything you’ll find central. It’s got parks, decent schools, and the kind of neighbors who actually know each other’s names.
Pros:
- Actual houses for under $300K (yes, really)
- Family-friendly with parks like Onion Creek Metropolitan Park
- Less pretentious than East Austin
- Taco trucks. Lots of taco trucks.
Cons:
- You’re not walking anywhere cool
- Limited nightlife (unless Applebee’s counts)
- Commute time adds up if you work downtown
- Your friends will absolutely complain about driving to your place
North Lamar / Rundberg
Average 1-BR rent: $1,000-1,200/month
Median home price: $250,000-320,000
Commute to downtown: 15-20 minutes
Who it’s best for: First-time buyers with a DIY spirit, renters who prioritize price over aesthetics, people who appreciate authentic international food
The vibe: This is old Austin—not the romanticized “Keep Austin Weird” version, but the actual working-class Austin that existed before tech bros discovered breakfast tacos. It’s multicultural, it’s no-frills, and it’s refreshingly honest about what it is.
Pros:
- Cheapest home prices in the city limits (condos starting at $250K)
- Amazing food scene (Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican—the real stuff)
- Quick access to I-35 (which is both a pro and a con)
- H-E-B and Walmart within spitting distance
Cons:
- Crime stats are higher than Austin average (but improving thanks to community programs)
- Many homes need work—budget for repairs
- Not exactly Instagram-worthy
- Dating app matches might ask “where?” when you tell them your neighborhood
Windsor Park / Windsor Hills
Average 1-BR rent: $1,100-1,300/month
Median home price: $350,000-400,000
Commute to downtown: 15-20 minutes
Who it’s best for: Families, young professionals, people who want “affordable” with a side of “cute”
The vibe: If Allandale and Mueller had a slightly less expensive baby, it’d be Windsor Park. You get the suburban feel, decent schools, and the ability to say you live in Northeast Austin without needing a trust fund.
Pros:
- Better schools than some other affordable options
- Safer feel than Rundberg/North Lamar
- Close to Samsung and Dell campuses (good for tech workers)
- Actually has parks and green space
Cons:
- “Affordable” here means high $300Ks, which is still not cheap
- Less walkable than central neighborhoods
- The Domain is close (which means traffic and the temptation to blow your savings at Lululemon)
- Some homes have foundation issues—get that inspection
Montopolis
Average rent: $1,200-1,500/month
Median home price: $280,000-350,000
Commute to downtown: 15-20 minutes
Who it’s best for: Buyers looking for appreciation potential, renters who like being near the water, optimists
The vibe: East Austin’s scrappy younger sibling. Montopolis is in transition—some parts are gentrifying fast, others are holding onto their character. You’re near the Colorado River, there are new developments popping up, and you might actually build some equity here.
Pros:
- Near the river (kayaking, paddleboarding)
- Up-and-coming = potential for your home value to increase
- More affordable than core East Austin
- Easy airport access
Cons:
- “Up-and-coming” also means “construction everywhere”
- Spotty in terms of walkability and amenities
- You’re basically betting on gentrification, which feels gross
- Some areas flood—check those floodplain maps
St. John’s
Average 1-BR rent: $1,300-1,500/month
Median home price: $400,000-500,000
Commute to downtown: 10-15 minutes
Who it’s best for: People who want East Austin energy without East Austin prices (but barely)
The vibe: St. John’s is teetering on the edge of “affordable.” It’s got the bungalows, the coffee shops nearby, the sense that you’re in a “real” neighborhood. But it’s getting pricey fast.
Pros:
- Charming older homes with actual character
- Decent schools (Sanchez Elementary is popular)
- Close to Mueller for shopping/dining
- Still feels like a neighborhood, not just a development
Cons:
- Rapidly approaching “not affordable” territory
- Older homes = maintenance costs
- Getting discovered = getting expensive
- Your fixed-up bungalow will cost $450K minimum
Cheapest Neighborhoods for Renters in Austin
If you’re renting (either by choice or because buying feels like a fever dream), here’s your cheat sheet for where to find the lowest rents in Austin proper:
| Neighborhood | Avg 1-BR Rent | What’s it like? |
|---|---|---|
| Riverside | $941 | Student central, dive bars, some sketch |
| East Riverside-Oltorf | $954 | Similar to Riverside but slightly east |
| East Austin (varies) | $999 | Depends heavily on exact location |
| Hancock | $999 | North of campus, quiet, underrated |
| North Lamar | $1,000-1,200 | International food, working class, real |
| Hyde Park (edges) | $1,050 | Historic, but find the right building |
| Dove Springs | $1,200-1,500 | Family areas, houses over apartments |
Reality check: Even in the “cheap” neighborhoods, you’re looking at minimum $1,000/month for a 1-bedroom. If you’re trying to follow the “rent should be 30% of income” rule, you need to be making at least $40,000/year. And honestly, in Austin’s market, you probably need more.
Pro tip for renters: Look for older complexes built in the 70s-80s. They’re not gonna have a rooftop pool or a “community yoga studio,” but they’re often $200-300/month cheaper than the new builds. Just check the AC works before you sign.
Most Affordable Neighborhoods for Home Buyers
Buying in Austin is like playing financial Tetris—you need the right pieces to fall in the right order. Here’s where you have the best shot:
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Real Talk |
|---|---|---|
| Rundberg | $250,000-280,000 | Cheapest, but needs work |
| Dove Springs | $300,000-320,000 | Best value for families |
| North Lamar | $320,000-350,000 | Diverse, fixers available |
| Montopolis | $280,000-350,000 | Gamble on appreciation |
| Windsor Hills | $350,000-400,000 | Safer bet, suburban |
| East Riverside | $320,000-380,000 | Location over condition |
The property tax gut punch: Remember, even if you buy a $300,000 home, you’re looking at roughly $5,000-6,000/year in property taxes in Travis County. That’s $400-500/month on top of your mortgage. Budget accordingly or get mad when the bill comes. Your choice.
Down payment reality: Most lenders want 10-20% down. On a $300,000 home, that’s $30,000-60,000. If you don’t have that saved, look into FHA loans (3.5% down) or first-time buyer programs.
Trade-Offs: What You Give Up for Lower Cost
Let’s be real—there’s no such thing as a free lunch, and there’s definitely no such thing as a cheap Austin apartment without some catches.
Commute Time
Affordable neighborhoods are generally farther from downtown. Dove Springs, Windsor Hills, and North Lamar will add 15-25 minutes to your commute. In Austin traffic, that could mean 45 minutes on a bad day. Factor in gas costs, wear on your car, and the slow erosion of your will to live.
School Quality
Some affordable neighborhoods have schools that are… fine. Not award-winning, not terrible, just fine. If you have kids and care deeply about test scores, you might be looking at private school tuition or seriously considering the suburbs.
Walkability
Most affordable Austin neighborhoods score a “Car-Dependent” on walkability indexes. You’re not strolling to the farmer’s market or the craft cocktail bar. You’re driving to H-E-B and that’s your outing.
Safety Perceptions vs. Reality
Crime stats in North Lamar and Riverside are higher than Austin’s average. But “higher than Austin’s average” is still lower than most major cities. Use common sense, lock your doors, don’t leave valuables in your car. You’ll probably be fine.
Gentrification Guilt
Some of these neighborhoods—Montopolis, parts of East Austin—are gentrifying. Moving there because it’s “up-and-coming” makes you part of that process. Just… be aware of that.
Affordable vs Suburban: Should You Leave Austin City Limits?
Okay, so we’ve been dancing around the elephant in the room: the suburbs are cheaper. Let’s talk about whether you should pull the trigger and move to Pflugerville, Manor, Round Rock, or Buda.
Pflugerville:
- Median home price: ~$380,000
- Rent: ~$1,500-1,800/month
- Commute: 25-35 minutes to downtown
- Vibe: Family-friendly, master-planned, somewhat soulless
- Real talk: You’ll save money but you won’t be “in Austin” anymore
Manor:
- Median home price: ~$320,000-350,000
- Rent: ~$1,400-1,600/month
- Commute: 25-30 minutes to downtown
- Vibe: Small town trying to keep up with growth
- Real talk: Cheapest close suburb, but very car-dependent
Round Rock:
- Median home price: ~$430,000
- Rent: ~$1,500-1,900/month
- Commute: 30-40 minutes to downtown (hello, I-35 hell)
- Vibe: Suburban sprawl, IKEA, outlet mall
- Real talk: You’re basically in Dallas Jr.
Buda:
- Median home price: ~$400,000-450,000
- Rent: ~$1,600-2,000/month
- Commute: 30-45 minutes to downtown
- Vibe: South Austin energy, minus the central location
- Real talk: Growing fast, still has some charm
The verdict: If you work downtown or value being close to Austin’s culture/nightlife, staying in city limits makes sense even if it costs more. If you’re raising a family and prioritize space/schools/affordability, the suburbs are legitimately a good option. Don’t let Austin snobbery convince you otherwise.
The Bottom Line
Here’s what you need to know about the most affordable neighborhoods in Austin in 2026:
Cheapest overall: Riverside and North Lamar/Rundberg give you the lowest rents ($900-1,200/month) and home prices ($250,000-320,000), but you’re trading affordability for rougher edges and longer commutes.
Best for renters: Riverside, East Riverside-Oltorf, and Hancock offer the best value for renters who want to stay in the city without spending $1,500+ on a 1-bedroom.
Best balance: Dove Springs and Windsor Hills give you decent affordability, safer neighborhoods, and family-friendly vibes without completely abandoning the dream of homeownership.
Real talk: Even the “affordable” neighborhoods in Austin are expensive by Texas standards. You’re going to pay more here than in Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio. That’s the Austin tax for living in a city with good breakfast tacos.
If you’re moving within Austin to save money—whether you’re downsizing from a downtown loft to a Riverside apartment, or finally buying that starter home in Dove Springs—we can help you haul your stuff without charging downtown moving prices. Our crews are UT students who know these neighborhoods, won’t judge your IKEA furniture, and actually show up when they say they will.
And if you’re moving moving last-minute in Austin because your lease is up and you just realized it, we’ve got you covered there too. We’re used to chaos. It’s kind of our thing.
Moving to a more affordable Austin neighborhood and need help? Get a quote from Undergrads — we’re students who lift heavy things for reasonable prices. No hidden fees, no corporate BS, just strong kids who need beer money and won’t break your stuff.
