Best places to live in the Austin metro area

Written by:
July 8, 2025
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Best places to live in the Austin metro area

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in the Austin metro area using data from the Niche. Niche uses 15 weighted factors for its rankings. A majority of the score is based on cost of living, higher education rate, housing, public schools, diversity, and crime. You can read more about Niche's methodology here.

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#25. San Marcos

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: C+
- Population: 68,920

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#24. Hornsby Bend

- Niche grade: B
- Public school grade: C+
- Population: 12,021

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#23. Wimberley

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 2,873

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#22. Kyle

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 52,439

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#21. Manchaca

- Niche grade: B+
- Public school grade: B-
- Population: 2,002

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#20. Hutto

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: B-
- Population: 32,188

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#19. Barton Creek

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 3,281

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#18. Wells Branch

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 14,156

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#17. Georgetown

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: B
- Population: 78,803

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#16. Lago Vista

- Niche grade: A-
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 9,341

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#15. Hudson Bend

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 3,902

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#14. Buda

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A-
- Population: 15,487

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#13. Pflugerville

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 65,162

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#12. Dripping Springs

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 6,322

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#11. Austin

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: B+
- Population: 967,862

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#10. Round Rock

- Niche grade: A
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 124,288

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#9. Shady Hollow

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 5,821

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#8. Lakeway

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 19,130

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#7. Leander

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A
- Population: 67,880

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#6. Bee Cave

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 8,861

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#5. The Hills

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 2,579

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#4. Cedar Park

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 77,474

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#3. Rollingwood

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 1,371

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#2. West Lake Hills

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 3,315

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#1. Brushy Creek

- Niche grade: A+
- Public school grade: A+
- Population: 20,953

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