Thinking about crossing I‑35 and making East Austin home? You’re not alone. The area blends close‑in convenience with a lively food scene, a mix of historic and new homes, and realistic commutes. In this guide, you’ll get a clear picture of neighborhoods, typical prices, commute options, and the checks to run before you move. Let’s dive in.
What counts as East Austin?
For this guide, East Austin means the central neighborhoods east of I‑35 near Lady Bird Lake and stretching north, including Central East Austin, East Cesar Chavez, Holly, Govalle, Chestnut, French Place, Johnston Terrace, and Mueller. Neighborhood lists can vary by source, so always confirm boundaries and micro‑locations that interest you. If you want a primer on Austin neighborhood names, the city’s broader list is a helpful starting point.
- See a general overview of neighborhood names on the city’s encyclopedia page: Austin neighborhoods list
Home prices and rents at a glance
- For-sale snapshot: Public market trackers show mid‑hundreds pricing in East Austin. Redfin reported a median sale price of about 525,000 dollars for East Austin in January 2026. Zillow’s Central East Austin index sat in a similar band in late 2025. Expect variation street‑to‑street based on renovation level, lot size, and age.
- Rentals: Listed asking rents in Central East Austin typically fall around the mid‑2,000s for many units. Zumper’s February 2026 median for Central East Austin was about 2,614 dollars, which reflects asking prices rather than final lease rates. See the current Central East Austin rent trend
Prices shift with inventory and interest rates, so treat these as orientation numbers. Your exact block and home type drive your real budget.
Neighborhoods and who they fit
Central East Austin & East Cesar Chavez
Closest to the lake and I‑35, these pockets offer the highest walkability and dense dining options. You’ll see renovated bungalows alongside contemporary townhomes and small condo buildings. It often suits professionals who want easy access to downtown and nightlife.
Holly, Chestnut, Upper Boggy Creek
Historic streets, a short hop to downtown, and a mix of smaller homes with infill builds. These areas appeal if you want a close‑in address, a compact lot, and a neighborhood feel within minutes of the lake trails.
Govalle, Johnston Terrace, French Place
A bit farther east with more lot diversity and, historically, more square footage per dollar than the inner core. You’ll find cottages, ranch homes, and new infill on quieter streets, plus access to major corridors for fast cross‑town trips.
Mueller
A master‑planned community with newer single‑family homes, townhomes, condos, parks, and organized retail. Inventory here tends to price above the East Austin median and draws buyers who want newer construction with walkable local services.
What your budget buys
These practical ranges reflect recent public snapshots and common patterns. Always confirm current comps before you write an offer.
- Entry options: Condos, small bungalows, and fixers often fall in the 300,000 to 450,000 dollar range in many recent sales. Smaller one‑bed condos or farther‑east pockets may price lower.
- Updated 2–3 bedroom homes and townhomes: A wide band runs from about 450,000 to 850,000 dollars depending on block, condition, and lot.
- Premium and new construction: Larger or newer builds, premium streets, and extensively remodeled homes frequently start around 850,000 dollars and can move well above 1 million dollars in prime pockets.
On the rental side, 1‑bed pricing commonly ranges from roughly 1,900 to 2,600 dollars depending on building age, finish level, and exact location. Again, listed medians represent asking rents, not signed lease outcomes.
Commute, transit, and walkability
- Commute times: A central east ZIP proxy (78702) reports a mean work commute of about 18.8 minutes, which aligns with the short hop to downtown and nearby offices. Review the 78702 ACS profile
- Transit: Capital Metro serves the area with local bus lines, and the MetroRail Red Line stops at Plaza Saltillo, which anchors a growing mixed‑use node. City planning around this station encourages transit‑oriented growth. See a recent Plaza Saltillo planning case summary
- Bike and walk: Many central east blocks score highly for walkability and bikeability, and daily errands can be completed on foot in the innermost pockets. Protected lanes and trails make cycling to downtown attractive.
Realistic rule of thumb: Downtown is often a 5 to 20 minute trip by bike or car depending on your exact block and traffic. The Domain and northside campuses can run 20 to 40 minutes by car during peak periods.
How East Austin compares nearby
- Zilker: Higher median sale prices and direct access to major park amenities like Zilker Park. Redfin’s January 2026 Zilker median was about 885,000 dollars. If you want a similar urban lifestyle at a generally lower price point, East Austin often delivers more options.
- Mueller: Planned, newer housing stock with stabilized pricing. Homes here typically list above the broader East Austin median and offer a curated, walkable retail and park network.
Other central neighborhoods like South Congress or Clarksville often price higher than East Austin and present different housing stock and lot patterns. If you’re balancing budget with walkability, East Austin typically offers more variety in the mid‑hundreds to upper‑hundreds bands.
Schools and family logistics
East Austin sits within Austin ISD, though attendance boundaries can shift over short distances. If schools factor into your decision, verify the exact campus assignment for any address, review programs, and check transfer rules or waitlists where relevant. Start here for school contacts and tools: AISD resources and school links
Parks, trails along Lady Bird Lake, and cultural anchors like the George Washington Carver Museum expand family‑friendly options close to home. As always, visit at different times of day to gauge traffic, noise, and daily rhythm.
Policies shaping housing supply
Austin’s recent HOME amendments update the Land Development Code to allow more flexible small‑lot density, accessory dwelling units, and two to three units on some single‑family lots. These changes help explain the rise in duplexes, ADUs, and small‑scale infill across central neighborhoods. For current rules and timelines, review the city’s page: City of Austin HOME amendments
Around Plaza Saltillo, station area planning and rezoning continue to guide higher‑density, mixed‑use development near transit. Expect ongoing infill and mid‑rise projects in this corridor as plans progress. Read a recent station‑area staff report
History, equity, and data sources to consult
East Austin’s story includes a legacy of segregation and decades of displacement pressure as demand for close‑in housing increased. If you want to understand that context, local coverage offers perspective on neighborhood change and the arts community’s response. A starting point: a recent discussion of gentrification and East Austin’s creative scene.
- Explore a cultural lens on change: Sightlines on East Austin gentrification
- Safety data: For incident trends, use the Austin Police Department’s open data rather than third‑party summaries, and mind dataset caveats. APD open data portal reference
Relocation checklist
Use this quick list to focus your search and reduce surprises.
- Test your commute: Drive or bike your likely route during peak hours. Downtown trips can be as short as 5 to 20 minutes from many blocks; northside campuses often run 20 to 40 minutes.
- Map your budget: Pull 90‑day neighborhood comps and days on market for your target micro‑area. Pricing varies block by block.
- Verify school assignment: Confirm the exact school for any address and review programs or transfer policies using AISD tools. Start with AISD links here
- Check ADU and infill rules: If you plan to add an ADU or consider a duplex or three‑unit option, review the latest HOME code details and eligibility. City of Austin HOME amendments
- Plan for taxes: Property taxes are material in Travis County. Review recent city notices and ballot information to understand local tax decisions before budgeting. City ballot and tax notices
- Walkability reality check: Visit morning, midday, and evening. Note noise, parking, and traffic near popular corridors.
Ready to explore East Austin with straight talk and sharp preparation? Reach out to Gemma Willans for a clear plan, on‑the‑ground tours, and comps tailored to your timeline.
FAQs
What is the median home price in East Austin in 2026?
- Public trackers put East Austin’s January 2026 median sale price near 525,000 dollars, with wide variation by sub‑neighborhood and home type.
What are typical Central East Austin rents right now?
- Listed asking rents often land in the mid‑2,000s, and Zumper’s February 2026 median was about 2,614 dollars for Central East Austin. See current trend
How long is the commute from East Austin to downtown?
- Many downtown‑facing trips take 5 to 20 minutes by bike or car, and ACS data for ZIP 78702 shows a mean commute of about 18.8 minutes. Check the ACS profile
Where is the train stop in East Austin?
- The MetroRail Red Line serves Plaza Saltillo near East Cesar Chavez, with active station‑area planning that supports mixed‑use infill. See a planning case summary
How do I confirm the school for a specific East Austin address?
- Use AISD’s boundary and school‑finder tools and confirm any transfer rules or programs for your child’s grade level. Start with AISD links
What city policy affects ADUs and small‑lot infill in East Austin?
- Austin’s HOME amendments expand options for ADUs and allow two to three units on many single‑family lots, subject to eligibility. Read the city overview
Where can I find official safety data for East Austin?
- Review APD’s open data resources and monthly reports to see incident counts and categories, and compare over time with dataset notes. APD open data reference
