As the demand for affordable housing continues to rise in the Austin area, many residents are turning to the surrounding suburbs for more space and lower costs. A recent study by Point2 examined the 20 most populous and expensive cities in the United States, finding a multitude of affordable options within a 30-mile commute from Austin’s city center.
Austin’s price per square foot for living space stands at $320, placing it among the top 20 largest and most expensive cities. Nevertheless, 89% of suburbs within 30 miles offer more affordable housing than the urban center. Manor, with a 42% price difference, has the lowest price per square foot compared to Austin, followed by Lockhart, Kyle, Hutto, and Elgin, all offering prices 40 to 41% lower than the city proper.
Other suburbs with prices 30 to 38% lower than Austin include San Marcos, Pflugerville, Buda, Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Cedar Park, and Bastrop. Conversely, suburbs such as West Lake Hills and Rollingwood are significantly more expensive, with prices per square footage exceeding 200% of Austin’s rates.
Interestingly, most of the affordable suburbs can be found on the East Coast. Nonetheless, Austin ranks within the top 20 largest and most expensive cities with the highest shares of affordable suburbs. With an increasing number of residents seeking more space for less money, Central Texas suburbs are becoming an attractive alternative to city living.
Read the full study on Point2’s website and explore more real estate insights on our blog at Yee-Haw Development Marketing Group: [https://www.recenter.tamu.edu/news/newstalk-texas/?Item=29139](https://www.recenter.tamu.edu/news/newstalk-texas/?Item=29139)