Austin’s Hottest Neighborhoods of 2026
- Tanglewood Forest is Austin’s hottest neighborhood of 2026, followed by Buttercup Creek and Behrens Ranch.
- The list spans a South Austin favorite, a North Austin tech hub, and more.
- Redfin agents say demand is strong in these neighborhoods even though Austin is a buyer’s market.
Tanglewood Forest is Austin’s hottest neighborhood of 2026, followed by Buttercup Creek and Behrens Ranch. The list includes neighborhoods close to downtown Austin as well as suburbs farther out.
| Rank | Neighborhood | Zip Code | Median Sale Price | Median Sale Price (YoY) | Median Days on Market | Share of Homes Sold Above List Price |
| 1. | Tanglewood Forest | 78748 | $405,000 | -5% | 53 | 20% |
| 2. | Buttercup Creek | 78613 | $492,500 | 2% | 49 | 14% |
| 3. | Behrens Ranch | 78681 | $489,000 | -2% | 46 | 13% |
| 4. | Milwood | 78727 | $498,500 | -2.2% | 43 | 18% |
| 5. | Johnston Terrace | 78721 | $492,500 | -6% | 67.5 | 13% |
| Austin metro area | $415,000 | -6% | 74 | 11% |
This is according to a Redfin analysis ranking U.S. zip codes in Austin’s metro area by year-over-year growth in listing views on Redfin.com and Redfin Compete Score, a measure of how difficult it is to win a home. See the methodology section at the end of this report for more details.
Austin is a buyer’s market, but Scott Gustafson, Redfin’s Austin sales manager, said competition is concentrated in pockets rather than spread across the metro area.
“This is the prime time to be a buyer, even as interest rates are high. Buyers have options that will allow them to find the home that they want,” he added.
Austin sellers who finish renovations, have a move-in-ready home and price to market stand out, Gustafson said.
“If you’ve had a renovation project on your list, do it now. Don’t wait until the month before you want to sell your home to do it. Make sure your selling price matches the condition of your home. This is not the market to list your home for more than its current market value.”
Redfin senior agent Sharon Uzick said school districts, new retail and restaurants draw buyers to Austin’s hottest neighborhoods.
“All of these neighborhoods are well maintained and have beautiful homes. People take pride in living there,” she added.
Austin home sellers may consider taking advantage of Redfin’s Early Access feature. It allows homeowners to start marketing their home as “coming soon” before its official market debut, which could help sellers determine the right price and gauge demand early.
Here’s what Redfin agents have to say about Austin’s hottest neighborhoods of 2026
Move-in-ready homes in Tanglewood Forest are drawing multiple offers, Redfin agents say. The neighborhood has 1970s and ’80s ranch houses and quick access to MoPac Expressway and I-35.
“Here you’re close to downtown Austin but far enough to have a larger lot and own a single-family home versus a condo,” said Gustafson. “Homes are more traditional Texas style and buyers are usually looking for a ranch house.”
The Southpark Meadows shopping center is nearby, with stores like Target and Walmart Supercenter. It also hosts free seasonal live music and has interactive water fountains for kids and adults.
“The best part of this neighborhood is the down-to-earth feel and ‘Keep Austin Weird’ vibe of mom-and-pop establishments, especially along Manchaca Road,” said Gustafson. “The Austin patio and live music scene is alive and kicking at Moontower Saloon, Armadillo Den and the South Austin Beer Garden, to name a few.”
Buttercup Creek has built its reputation on newer construction, highly rated schools and a strong sense of community.
Redfin Premier agent Barb Cooper said buyers in this area are usually in tech or medical fields. Buttercup Creek is close to a branch of Austin Community College and the new Dell Children’s Medical Center.
“The big draw of this very large, established community is the easy commute to major employers without having to take a highway,” she said. “Buttercup Creek has neighborhood pools, tons of parks and trails and even some caves to explore. It’s a pretty area and great for the outdoor enthusiast.”
Cooper added that homes in the neighborhood range from $300,000-$750,000, with home sizes ranging from 1,000 to well over 3,000 square feet.
Buttercup Creek in Cedar Park is a popular place for investors to buy because renters are always looking in the area since it’s so close to many schools and amenities, said Monica DiSchiano, a local Redfin Premier agent.
“It’s a bit more affordable than nearby North Austin, but still so close,” she added.
Behrens Ranch is a planned community near Dell’s global headquarters. Community amenities in Behrens Ranch include a pool, tennis courts and trails. It also provides easy access to I-35 and major roads.
The neighborhood is close to the new Williamson County Regional Park, which has tennis courts, splash pads, pickle ball courts and more.
“Homes here were built in the early 2000s, so expect to see properties that have been renovated in the last few years,” said Cooper. “Buyers here tend to work in tech or the medical field and want a short commute and highly rated schools.”
DiSchiano added buyers who are looking for more space love Behrens Ranch because homes typically range from 3,000 to over 4,000 square feet. Homes here tend to be priced around $600,000 to over $900,000.
4. Milwood
Milwood is attractive to a lot of local professionals because it’s a short drive from Apple’s North Austin campus, Dell and IBM. Other major employers in the area include Charles Schwab, Expedia and Amazon.
The neighborhood also spans across two highly rated school districts: Round Rock ISD and Austin ISD.
“The neighborhood homes were built in the ‘80s and ‘90s, so they attract a mix of buyers who want to put a personal stamp on them or fully remodeled homes,” said Cooper.
Redfin agents say that the neighborhood is a great option for people who want to live near The Domain entertainment and retail district, which is often referred to as Austin’s second downtown.
Its direct route into downtown Austin is convenient for buyers in the fields of healthcare, tech and entertainment.
“It’s a super popular area because buyers can find nice homes for an average price in the $400,000s. There is something for everyone from great starter homes to those looking to downsize,” said DiSchiano.
Johnston Terrace is known for its mid-century ranch homes, bungalows and quarter-acre lots. It is close to downtown Austin and nearby hiking and biking trails like the trailhead for the Southern Walnut Creek trail. Buyers here are typically looking for an older home to remodel, say Redfin agents.
The neighborhood is also close to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and it’s close to halfway between downtown Austin and Tesla. It’s known as a tech corridor.
“This neighborhood is a great choice for buyers who care about location, character and long-term equity,” said Gustafson. “It’s close to major roadways that allow you to get downtown in 15 minutes or less. Buyers here tend to be professionals who work at the airport or in the tech industry.”
Homes in Johnston tend to sell quickly because of its proximity to downtown.
“It’s a small community development with larger lots. You can get anywhere from a quarter to half acre lot, and that’s prime real estate in Austin,” added Gustafson.
Methodology
This Redfin analysis ranks U.S. zip codes in the Austin metro area by year-over-year growth in listing views on Redfin.com and Redfin Compete Score—a measure of how difficult it is to win a home in a particular area based on factors including days on market, share of homes that sold above their listing prices and sale-to-list price ratio. The Compete Score for an area is rated on a scale of 0 to 100, where 100 is the most competitive. Please note that zip codes may encompass more than one neighborhood, village, or town and we use neighborhood names that are representative of the area covered.
All data represents July – August 2026, with year-over-year data compared against the same timeframe in 2025.
To make the list, a zip code must have recorded 50+ home sales between July 1 and August 31 and have a Redfin Compete Score above 50.
