Keep Austin Affordable: A Renter's Guide to the Best Suburbs Around the City

I’m Raul, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Austin. While the capital is filled with job opportunities, culture, and entertainment, renters are tired of hiking prices and are starting to look outside the city for better options.

The surrounding metros all have unique advantages that are becoming less common inside the city proper like family-friendly environments, lower rental prices, and quiet spaces. If you’re exploring apartments and want an idea of the best metro areas surrounding Austin, take a look at these nearby cities that are worth your consideration.

Round Rock

Round Rock is a suburban mecca right outside Austin city limits. It’s often one of the first cities renters consider when looking for a place to stay that is close enough to Austin to enjoy the sights but far enough away to beat the increased rental prices.

Overview

I traveled the 25 minutes to Round Rock on occasion to visit their minor league baseball team, the Roughriders, or to grab one of the famous oversized donuts. Round Rock continues to expand its population in an organized way.

You’ll have a mix of established neighborhoods and newer apartment communities, giving you flexibility when moving into the area.

You don’t need to rely on Austin for daily needs since Round Rock has it all. You’ll have plenty of options for dining and entertainment, all within the city.

Key Benefits

Round Rock has done a better job balancing affordability with accessibility compared to Austin. You’ll get more square footage for the same rent you’d pay in the bigger city and you won’t lose any quality when choosing an apartment.

Commuting is straightforward when traveling into Austin from Round Rock. You’ll hop on I-35 and just head South. Because this is the only major entry point, I’ve been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour and weekends.

Residents of Round Rock love how self-sufficient the city feels. It’s probably the most built-out metro city around Austin.

Who It’s Best For

Round Rock makes the most sense for renters who need stability and predictability in their day-to-day lifestyles. Having everything you need within reach like grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment, makes living here easy without needing to constantly travel to Austin.

Renters who work in North Austin will find it especially convenient. You’ll shorten your commute while still having access to the city.

If the goal is to find an organized, livable, and balanced city without paying the hiked up Austin prices, I suggest looking into Round Rock for your living accommodations.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Round Rock

Buda

You’ll enjoy a different pace of life compared to many of the northern suburbs around Austin like Round Rock. Here, the lifestyle feels a little more relaxed, spacious, and community-driven. I always suggest Buda for individuals looking to get that slow, Texas lifestyle but still have access to the city when you need it.

Overview

I’ve seen Buda steadily grow over the years without losing it’s quiet, smaller suburban feel. It’s located about 15-20 minutes away from Austin and has plenty of established apartment communities.

It’s not far from San Marcos either, which is a college town that has fun activities throughout the year. In Buda, you get a sense of small town living even though you have all the conveniences of grocery stores, restaurants, and retail stores.

Key Benefits

I’ve looked at renting in Buda when Austin started to increase in renter price and the space for the budget is worth considering. You’ll get access to larger apartment layouts or access to less crowded communities.

Commuting to Austin is more manageable compared to metro areas like Round Rock, since there is a smaller population and I-35 isn’t as packed.

Here are some other benefits you’ll enjoy while living in Buda:

• More space with quieter surroundings
• Easy access to South Austin
• Growing mix of local dining and retail

Who It’s Best For

Renters coming from smaller Texas towns where the pace of living is slower will enjoy Buda compared to some of the other metro areas surrounding Austin.

I’ve talked with some residents from Buda and they always loved the quieter evenings with less congested streets and the community-oriented environment.

It’s also a great option if you work in South Austin and want to keep the commute reasonable. Try Buda if you want a lifestyle that is more comfortable and less rushed, but still gives you all the convenience of Austin.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Buda

Pflugerville

Located directly adjacent to Austin City Limits, Pflugerville is ideal for renters trying to find a surrounding metro. While not quite as bustling as Round Rock in terms of major stores, it still has all the amenities you’d need to feel comfortable.

Overview

Technically, Pflugerville doesn’t touch major highway I-35, but it’s so close that you won’t have any trouble driving in and out of Austin.

Any type of renter is going to find a place to stay, regardless of whether you’re looking for affordability, accessibility, steady developments, or something luxurious.

I’ve had a few friends move into the city to get away from Austin's rising prices but find an apartment they enjoy.

Key Benefits

Affordability is one of the main reasons Pflugerville has grown to its current size. Compared to Austin, rental prices are typically more approachable, especially if you’re comparing similar unit size and apartment amenities. Newer developments may even match some of the offers you’d find in Downtown Austin.

While you won’t experience as creative or unique a lifestyle as Austin, Pflugerville does support a practical one. Access to grocery stores, parks, and recreational areas is never far away.

Here are some major reasons why renters enjoy Pflugerville:

• Competitive rent with new apartment communities
• Close to major North Austin job centers
• Access to parks and outdoor recreation

Location is another huge advantage for Pflugerville compared to some of the other surrounding metros on this list.

You get quick access to Austin, including West of the city in the burgeoning tech corridor. It’s a strong option for renters who want to stay close to work and keep their housing costs manageable.

Who It’s Best For

I always recommend Pflugerville for renters looking to get the most bang for their buck. If efficiency and value are your top priorities, you can’t get much better. Commute is the most minimal and you get a strong balance between cost and convenience.

The area provides a straightforward living experience where amenities are close by but you can still head to a music show on Saturday night and be home by 10 pm. If your goal is to keep things practical, reduce unnecessary expenses, and stay connected to Austin’s job market, then Pflugerville is your ideal location.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Pflugerville

Cedar Park

Most Austinites don’t make it up to Cedar Park very often, if at all. It’s a bit further away from city limits compared with metros like Round Rock or Pflugerville, and the city offers a more refined, suburb lifestyle. The intentional city design and highly maintained environment make it more expensive for renters but the comfort is unbeatable.

Overview

Cedar Park is about 20 minutes Northwest of Austin and has grown into a reputable area that people in the city proper associate with class. There is a strong mix of residential comfort and modern amenities so you never really need to leave. The growing tech industry has created more interest and competition for housing compared to previous years.

Key Benefits

Quality of life is what makes Cedar Park special. Apartment communities are generally newer, well-kept, and have modern features that make daily living more relaxing and convenient. Pricing can reflect the additional comforts, but they aren’t more expensive than some of the more popular areas of Austin.

Both the Texas Stars (the minor league hockey team of the Dallas Stars) and the Austin Spurs (the G-League Team for the San Antonio Spurs) also call Cedar Park their home and offer some great, high level sports entertainment for locals. Cedar Park recently built a state of the art library that is quickly becoming a hub for the community for both connecting as well as learning. 

The commute into Austin from the area is manageable, but the town has built enough infrastructure and nightlife opportunities that you can stay in on the weekends and not miss a thing. Most of the renters I know who live in Cedar Park are busy professionals with higher-paying salaries.

The area is one of the best to settle in if you’re working for one of the major employers in Northwest Austin like Apple, Visa, or St. David’s North Austin Medical Center. You have quick access to shopping centers, restaurants, outdoor spaces, and even the Domain for some shopping.

Here are a few key elements that make Cedar Park a favorite for successful professionals:

• Clean and well-developed neighborhoods
• Access to shopping, dining, and entertainment
• Comfortable and consistent living environment

Who It’s Best For

Renters with established careers or families enjoy Cedar Park the most. It’s a structured and refined suburban lifestyle where you can appreciate the clean streets and high-quality living experience.

You’re far enough away from Austin where the weirdness of the city doesn’t creep in nearly as much, but the local restaurant down the street still has live shows on the weekends you can enjoy. It’s predictable living, the kind that keeps you connected to your neighbors and feels safe for your family.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Cedar Park

Manor

Manor is one of the fastest-growing metros around Austin. With a huge Tesla factory developed within the town and newer residential developments popping up every few months, it’s almost like witnessing what Pflugerville or Round Rock was decades ago. I rented a house in Manor for a couple years so I have a pretty close pulse on what it’s like living here.

Overview

Northeast of Austin, about 15 to 20 minutes, Manor surrounds Highway 290, but in an area that few travel. That means it’s one of the closest metros that you don’t have to compete for a ton of traffic until you hit I-35. The city is in a perpetual growth phase with new apartments and infrastructure being built every year.

It’s not nearly as big as other areas yet, but the small town feel is what makes it so appealing.

Key Benefits

Of all the metros on this list, Manor is the most affordable, and it’s not even close. I rented a three-bedroom home for about $2,000 a month. Those prices won’t stay that way for long though, as each year a new Walmart or Chick-fil-a is added.

One of the first things my neighbors said about the town when I first talked with them is just how quiet it is. No sirens, no honking, and barely a car on the streets. It harks back to the good old days in Austin, and that type of appeal while living so close to the city is what renters enjoy about it.

It’s also a place where renting can turn into home buying, which can easily turn a large profit in a few years. There is long-term potential here and renters who take advantage now will benefit when expansion really takes off.

Here’s a quick summary of what makes Manor uniquely special:

• Lower rent prices and competition compared to surrounding metros
• Close proximity and lesser traveled highway
• Ongoing infrastructure development and long-term potential

Who It’s Best For

Renters looking for great prices or who have a long-term vision about their future near Austin are a great fit for Manor. You’ll trade some convenience, but in exchange, you’ll get lower rental prices and an opportunity for investing in property that is quickly ending in locations near the city. If you enjoy long drives past farms with beautiful sunsets like I did, you’ll be right at home in Manor.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Manor

Finding the Perfect Metro Near Austin

Living in the city proper isn’t the best option for every renter. It’s more likely one of the surrounding metros offers a better rental price, family-friendly neighborhood, or quiet lifestyle that you can’t find in Austin.

As someone who lived this experience myself, I can tell you sometimes the grass really is greener. When you’re looking for the perfect place, take a look at your commute times, the type of environment that supports your routine, and amenities that make your day-to-day living easier.