Austin, Texas, often referred to as the 'Live Music Capital of the World,' is a city that combines a vibrant cultural scene with a strong sense of community. Austin neighborhoods are as diverse as the city itself, offering everything from bustling urban environments to peaceful suburban retreats. Known for its lively arts and music festivals, booming tech industry, and picturesque parks and lakes, Austin has something for everyone. Whether you're exploring the vibrant streets of downtown or relaxing by the Colorado River, Austin provides a dynamic and inclusive atmosphere that attracts people from all walks of life.
The Austin neighborhood map is an essential resource for those looking to explore the many different communities within the city. Austin neighborhoods vary widely, from the hip and trendy areas near downtown to more tranquil, family-friendly suburbs. The map highlights neighborhoods with higher livability scores in green, indicating areas with excellent amenities, safety, and overall quality of life. Those with lower scores are marked in red, providing a clear guide to understanding the different dynamics across the city and helping residents and newcomers alike find the area that best suits their needs.
| # | Hood | Population | Area (km 2) | Livability Score |
| 1 | Crestview | 6,739 | 2.63 | 85 |
| 2 | Triangle State | 1,820 | 1.18 | 84 |
| 3 | Brentwood | 10,234 | 4.09 | 83 |
| 4 | Gateway | 1,196 | 1.9 | 83 |
| 5 | Chestnut | 2,390 | 0.74 | 82 |
The best Austin neighborhoods are those that score high on livability metrics, including factors such as access to local amenities, low crime rates, and top-rated schools. These neighborhoods offer a perfect balance of urban convenience and suburban comfort, making them ideal for families, professionals, and retirees alike. Whether you're looking for a neighborhood with a vibrant social scene, close proximity to nature, or a quiet place to raise a family, the best Austin neighborhoods consistently provide a high quality of life.
| # | Hood | Population | Area (km 2) | Livability Score |
| 1 | Southeast | 5,009 | 7.32 | 49 |
| 2 | McKinney | 5,030 | 7.07 | 50 |
| 3 | Martin Luther King-Hwy 183 | 8,366 | 8.65 | 52 |
| 4 | Heritage Hills | 7,129 | 3.55 | 58 |
| 5 | Coronado Hills | 3,025 | 1.44 | 60 |
The worst Austin neighborhoods tend to score lower on livability metrics due to challenges such as higher crime rates, fewer amenities, and economic difficulties. These areas may face issues like underperforming schools and a lack of community resources, making them less desirable places to live. While every neighborhood in Austin has its unique characteristics, those classified among the worst Austin neighborhoods often struggle with factors that negatively impact the overall quality of life, and potential residents should consider these aspects when choosing where to live in the city.
| # | Hood | Population | Area (km 2) | Livability Score |
| 1 | North Austin | 27,374 | 7.98 | 69 |
| 2 | Windsor Park | 16,512 | 6.15 | 71 |
| 3 | West University | 15,840 | 1.9 | 78 |
| 4 | Franklin Park | 14,919 | 5.79 | 66 |
| 5 | Pleasant Valley | 14,842 | 5.9 | 70 |
| 6 | Downtown | 12,436 | 4.28 | 78 |
| 7 | Riverside | 12,314 | 3.17 | 77 |
| 8 | Garrison Park | 11,315 | 5.1 | 79 |
| 9 | Montopolis | 10,471 | 5.76 | 67 |
| 10 | Brentwood | 10,234 | 4.09 | 83 |
If you like the kind of person that marches to the beat of his own drummer, Austin Texas is the place to be. An eclectic and artistic town in the middle of desert and conservatism, the city is both the capital of Texas and its strangest child. It just doesn't fit in. Unlike most of Texas, there are quite a few young people that flock to Austin to take in the bars, social events and music scene. It's trendy to want to live there and visit. It is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, which can tell you a lot about a place.
Downtown Austin is an exciting place to be for someone that wants to be in on the coolest events in the city. With an exceptionally high livability rating, the employment opportunities are great, the crime is very low, and educational rates and employment is high. It's a much better place to live than most places in the United States. The downside? High cost of living compared to other areas of Austin. But this seems to be the case for many places that have a very high quality of life, so you should expect a price tag to come with it. With historic theaters, bars, restaurants, and newly restored urban neighborhoods galore, downtown is a great place for singles or young couples.
Located southwest of downtown, Barton Hills is one of the best neighborhoods to live in Austin, trailing behind downtown as the favorite spot to live in the city. Barton Creek is north of the neighborhood and has lots of green space surrounding it, making Barton Hills a pleasant place overall. South, there is a strip with every commercial shop you can imagine. It looks like Barton Hills has similar ratings to downtown, with the high cost of living to match. Right outside the city and closer to nature, this area of Austin would be great for couples with families. The educational opportunities are excellent.
Old West Austin is, you guessed it, west of downtown and is the historic area of the city composed of three neighborhoods: Old Enfield, Pemberton Heights and Bryker Woods. Enfield, in particular, is the district with the oldest colonial-style homes in the area. Old West Austin gets good grades on the amenities it provides, the education it offers its young people and the lack of crime. The weather, of course, is spectacular in this area of Texas for most of the year, plus you have all these beautiful homes to marvel at on your walks around your neighborhood. It's another exceptionally livable place in the Austin area and is great for those with the disposable income to buy a home there. It's best for couples and families with established careers.