The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 78731 sells for about $1,108,000, or $405 per square foot.
Prices are down 16.1% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 37 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,737 a month.
ZIP 78731 — Austin
The 78731 housing market is currently experiencing a correction, with median sale prices down over 16% year-over-year and inventory levels rising. High interest rates and a cooling regional market have led to longer days on market and increased pressure on sellers, shifting the area toward a more buyer-friendly environment.
This ZIP is ideal for established families and professionals seeking a quiet, established suburban atmosphere with large lots and mature trees, while remaining within a short commute of central Austin.
Median prices moved down 16.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 37 days on market with 7.7 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
0% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 0% of asking — demand is holding steady.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.6% · poverty 6.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.4%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
in-migration and out-migration balanced
ZCTA 78731, Travis County TX
The area is served by the Austin Independent School District, generally characterized by high-performing schools that are a primary draw for families in the Northwest Hills and surrounding neighborhoods.
The area features rolling hills and proximity to Lake Austin, with localized flood risks in low-lying areas and standard wildfire awareness typical of the Texas Hill Country interface.
The area is largely built-out with established residential neighborhoods, benefiting from proximity to major Austin employment hubs and retail corridors along Mopac Expressway.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Texas) — Senior (65+) and Disabled Homestead Exemption and School Tax Ceiling: Grants an additional mandatory $10,000 exemption from ISD appraised value (Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100,000 - $10,000) and establishes an absolute statutory tax freeze (school tax ceiling): total ISD property taxes cannot exceed the dollar ceiling established in the… State (Texas) — General Residence Homestead Exemption and 10% Valuation Growth Cap: Imposes mandatory state-level valuation deductions and growth limitations on the qualifying homestead: (1) Mandates a $100,000 deduction from appraised value for independent school district (ISD) maintenance and operations/debt taxation: Taxable Value_ISD = Appraised Value - $100… State (Texas) — Ad Valorem Real Property Taxation and Assessment Ratio: Mandates ad valorem appraisal of all real property at 100% of fair market value as of January 1 each tax year (Assessment Ratio = 1.00).
Residents primarily utilize the Mopac Expressway (Loop 1) for direct access to downtown Austin and the major tech employment corridors in North Austin.
The area features extensive access to greenbelts, hiking trails, and proximity to Lake Austin, with major shopping centers located conveniently along the Mesa Drive and Far West Boulevard corridors.
The rental market has seen significant downward pressure on pricing recently, with a high volume of inventory relative to demand and a mix of long-term residential and some investor-owned properties.
The local economy is anchored by the broader Austin tech and government sectors, with major employers including Apple, Dell, and the University of Texas at Austin located within a short drive.
The area is heavily reliant on private vehicle transit via the Mopac Expressway, with limited public transit infrastructure compared to the urban core.
Development is primarily focused on infill and residential renovation rather than large-scale new construction due to the established nature of the neighborhoods.
The Travis Central Appraisal District manages property assessments for the area, utilizing annual market value adjustments based on comparable sales.
Parcels are primarily served by Austin ISD and the City of Austin, with no major MUDs or PIDs impacting the core residential tax structure.
Property insurance premiums in the region have faced upward pressure due to increased climate-related hazard risks and regional construction cost inflation.
Data retrieved from Census Reporter and ZCTA-level ACS tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Kalahari Indoor Water Park4.414.3 mi
- Cidercade Austin4.47.3 mi
- Austin’s4.19.9 mi
- Austin Aquarium46.7 mi
- Museum of Illusions Austin4.54 mi
- Moody Center4.45.7 mi
- Circuit of The Americas4.617.1 mi
- The Oasis On Lake Travis4.26.9 mi
- Mozart's Coffee Roasters4.54.1 mi
- H-E-B Center at Cedar Park4.513.2 mi
- Texas Capitol4.75.9 mi
- Zilker Metropolitan Park4.86 mi
- Mozart's Coffee Roasters4.54.1 mi
- McKinney Falls State Park4.612.2 mi
- Cinemark Pflugerville 20 and XD4.59.2 mi
- Texas Capitol4.75.9 mi
- Palmer Events Center4.56.6 mi
- Bullock Texas State History Museum4.75.5 mi
- Thinkery4.65.7 mi
- Blanton Museum of Art4.75.5 mi
- Zilker Metropolitan Park4.86 mi
- McKinney Falls State Park4.612.2 mi
- Pease District Park4.85.2 mi
- Zilker Botanical Garden4.65.8 mi
- Mueller Lake Park4.75.7 mi
- Texas Rowing Center4.65.7 mi
- Festival Beach Boat Ramp4.77.8 mi
- Lake Austin Marina4.53.6 mi
- Waller Creek Boathouse4.66.8 mi
- Boats and Buses55.6 mi
- Topgolf Austin4.44.5 mi
- Avery Ranch Golf Club3.910.4 mi
- Jimmy Clay Golf Course4.311.9 mi
- Morris Williams Golf Course4.16.5 mi
- Butler Pitch & Putt4.56.4 mi
- Barton Creek Square4.47 mi
- The Domain4.64.4 mi
- Lakeline Mall4.28.3 mi
- H-E-B4.48.1 mi
- Domain NORTHSIDE4.64.6 mi
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport4.112.7 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Popular greenbelt with hiking trails and swimming holes.
Provides recreational boating and waterfront residential opportunities.
Convenient local shopping and dining hubs along Mesa Drive.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.