Downtown Austin

Great Place for Millennials - Awesome High-rises
Downtown Austin is at the very heart of the Texas state capital, both literally and figuratively. With access to restaurants, museums and an awe-inspiring view of the Texas State Capitol, this area of the city is the center of culture, commerce, and history. The never-ending musical vibrations on 6th street are the pulse of Austin’s thriving live music and entertainment traditions. Stop by Turf N Surf Po’ Boy, Elephant Room or the Firehouse Lounge to experience the rich culture in the Downtown Austin area.

Renters here love the laidback vibes and cool energy of this city center. Residents often walk to work, out to eat, and to nearby bars for fun on the weekends. The area is rapidly growing in popularity and a huge destination for tourists eager to immerse themselves in Austin's charm.
What Downtown Austin Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
8.0
value
7.6
amenities
7.0
social
7.9
management
8.0
Median rents in Downtown Austin
Studio
$
1,750
1 Bedroom
$
2,350
2 Bedroom
$
3,300

Living in
Downtown Austin

Fun on Weekends
6th Street
Walkable
Great Nightlife
Convenient
Traffic
Relatively Quiet
Lady Bird Lake
Downtown Austin — 8.9/10 Rating (based on 76 neighborhood reviews)
Great area to live, right near Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Walking distance to any buses to/from school and perfect location to access bars and restaurants as well as the river.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Elle West Ave
Excellent location. Close to everything including bars, the lake, restaurants, gyms, coffee shops and markets. Can essentially walk to any of the aforementioned locations.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
The neighborhood itself is relatively quiet, mostly office buildings. It's west of campus but across 15th street. The block is quiet but it's easy walking distance to N Lamar and 15th Street for bus transit. The neighborhood itself is great for pets but management doesn't allow pets in the building.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1400 Rio Grande Apartments
This is a great neighborhood. It's not as hectic as it may sound. There are tons of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby. We have Trader Joe's and Whole Foods within a short walk (Trader Joe's is 42 seconds away). There are so many bus routes that it's easy to get anywhere (including school). It's a little pricey, of course, being downtown, but I thought it was worth it.

The river, with the running/walking trail, and kayak rental spots is super closeby.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Downtown Austin is where all of your friends that live elsewhere come Thursday-Saturday nights. Depending on where you are in downtown, you are never more than a few blocks away from great food or nightlife options, and there is always plenty going on. Plus, you have tons of public transport options, easy access to Lady Bird Lake and the trail system, and the new library is a great spot to study.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
404 Rio Grande
The neighborhood is located in DT austin near bars, restaurants, and shops. It's walkable to most places west of I35 and there is public transportation near the complex. The neighborhood is pretty safe but I do hear about some problems with car break-ins because the garage gates are open most of the time.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Downtown is a great landing spot if you are moving from a large city. I moved from DC and found the downtown Austin scene to be immediately familiar.

I would recommend it if you have no ties to Austin and don't really have an idea or preference on where to live.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
AMLI on 2ND
You can walk to Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or 6th Street and access to Town Lake is a 5 minute walk as well. Really centrally located and easy to get to other parts of the city by public transport when needed.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Tower
By far the best area to live in if you want to go out to bars and restaurants on a consistent basis (which you most likely will once you have an internship lined up).
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Great neighborhood! Many other students live in the properties around Gables West and its proximity to nightlife and the river is unmatched.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Can run into a few homeless people but on the whole it's a great area. Easy to walk to everything in the downtown area.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Bowie
No nearby major stores or anything close within walking distance besides a few restaurants and bars. As I said before, some people may like living on Rainey, I don't think its necessarily a great place to live, maybe just a great place to go out occasionally. One perk -- close highway access on IH-35
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Skyhouse Austin
Best neighborhood. Have I mentioned the Trader Joe's?
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Downtown Austin is nice full of restaurants and coffee shops. It is relatively quiet even during the day except at rush hours. It is a safe area and pretty close to UT campus. Parking is a bit of issue unless you don't mind paying for garage.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
AMLI Downtown
If you can afford it, Downtown Austin is the location to be. Love the easy access to great grocery stores as well as the Town Lake running trail. You'll also be close to the all the bars and night life where Think and Drinks take place
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
Austin was nominated the best city to live in because it offers a lot opportunities. Downtown Austin is the best part being close to everything and full of restaurants and shops. It is a safe area full of music and happy people.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Seven
I love living downtown, everything including school is in walking distance. Most of my friends also live downtown which is convenient. In addition, we exit our apartment, walk one block and can be on the waterfront trail.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
So close to west 6th street for a more vibrant scene.
Very close to two super markets in Trader Joes and Whole Foods. Solid restuarants in walking distance and being close to the river is amazing.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Tower
VERY walkable, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are two blocks away. Just a block away from the bars of west 6th. Drive to UT is 7 minutes and with a lot of traffic only 15.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
404 Rio Grande
Very walkable and tons of buses available if you want to take public transit. Tons to do in the area from shopping to restaurants to bars.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
Cleaner than most metros I have visited in the states, lesser homeless folks around.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The G Austin
super walkable - not next to loud bars at night.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Capitol Quarters
I really like the neighboorhood, its super walkable, lady bird lake is literally across the street. You can walk to 6th street, and rainey with ease. There are a plethora of options close
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Northshore
Close to work (less than 15 min walk), safe area, great social scene, lots of dining options and even several groceries (Trader Joes and Whole Foods less than two blocks away)
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Very close to Rowling Hall and the rest of the UT campus. While West Campus accommodates most of the undergrads, this particular area has more graduate students.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Penthouse Apartments
Close to work and great nightlife on the weekends. My only complaint is that there is very limited shopping, which makes things tricky if you don't have a car.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Ashton Austin
Downtown Austin is great; Close to lady bird lake, Trader Joe's and Wholefoods. Very convenient for when you have friends in town to have everything close by
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Easy to walk to great restaurants and bars. Only a 10-minute drive to campus in the mornings. Usually only a 12–15-minute drive in the afternoons.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Northshore
Though considered Downtown, it is closer to the university and west campus than the restaurant and bar scene of 6th street.
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Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Greenwood Towers
Love being downtown. Close to bars, restaurants and coffee shops. Super easy commute to any part of Austin
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
I love this area.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Great if you’re new to Austin, close to TnD locations, things to do and new McCombs friends!
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
Coffee shop, restaurants, walk across bridge to lady bird lake trails, new library.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Tower
i love being able to walk to most places in austin (or short car ride)
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Busy neighborhood, not too noisy. Very close to campus.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Penthouse Apartments
Great area
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Independent
Walking to think n drink.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Great place to be across from town lake
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
Would recommend all MBA students (who can afford it) live downtown. The proximity to school, events, restaurants/bars, shopping, etc. is unmatched. I didn't need a car at all.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Elle West Ave
Amazing location. Across the street from Trader Joes/Whole Foods, blocks away from popular nightlife on West Sixth, and minutes walking distance from Lady Bird Lake.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Elle West Ave
West 6th is always very active and a common location for after school activities.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
404 Rio Grande
If you don't want to be downtown, there is really no reason to pay the premium to be here and if you really do want to be downtown and don't want to pay up, look at the 404 Rio Grande. If you have a roommate though and don't mind paying a bit more(~1500-1600 per person) and want an upscale experience, the Bowie is great. I don't know about the "neighborhood", but being downtown has been much more enjoyable than I had expected
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Bowie
Rainey is a TON of fun on the weekends. The bar scene is great and it's a very young crowd looking to have fun. Keep in mind you're living in a "party" neighborhood, which can be both good and bad. The real downside is the lack of food options. It's only a 20 minute walk to work and is right next to Lady Bird Lake and the Ann Butler walking trail. I also feel pretty safe there.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Skyhouse Austin
Downtown Austin is the place to be during your time at McCombs. It allows you to walk to almost any bar/restaurant you'd like and there's so many activities close by. It's a short bike/bus/drive to campus and I have classmates who even make the 30 min walk when the weather is nice!
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
Awesome location downtown - close to a lot of great areas and venues. Only negatives are noise (due to downtown location but hasn’t been much of a problem during covid) and some homeless activity nearby but also hasn’t been much of a problem
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Beverly Austin
Awesome location! I love being downtown because that's where a lot of the good restaurants and bars are. I walk or scooter to a lot of places and don't have to worry about taking an uber or finding parking.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
It's actually not downtown. It's on the edge of campus and West Campus. It's quiet. And also is so close to Rowling Hall. Bonus: Tiff's Treats is right next door.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Penthouse Apartments
Quiet neighborhood during the day, fun one at night. People are always walking around. The trail / river is right outside the back door.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Milago
On the East edge of Downtown. Great location to get to really anywhere in the Downtown Austin area and East Austin.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
3Waller
Great access to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and grocery store (Trader Joe's).
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
This part of austin (Seaholm District) is growing fast and has many things a family or young person might need. With the opening of Trader Joes it is easy to live downtown and not have a car. Crime seems low for being so close to the downtown area.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
Lots of restaurants and bars. New businesses are flocking to the area. Lots of construction going on but that may end soon. Everything is walkable. Equidistant to Trader Joes and the flagship Whole Foods. Very close to running/biking trails.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
404 Rio Grande
Downtown Austin is very walkable and there are a number of stores and entertainment venues nearby. The only problem would be with traffic during rush hours: if one needs to drive to and from work, she should budget well for time.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Tower
Downtown Austin is pretty with many grocery stores and restaurants. It is close to my work with a 10 min drive and you can enjoy all the activities at a walking distance. It is also a safe and only noisy when there is traffic.
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Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
I love the location. Easy commute to school, easy walk to a bunch of bars/restaurants, easy access to the river. The neighborhood is affordable but definitely on the pricey side when comparing to the rest of Austin.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
Close to work, gym, grocery etc. Super close to the bars and awesome access to the river and park! Sometimes there can be a homeless person hanging near the apartment complex but never an issue.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
AMLI Downtown
Close to everything. Convenient. Not Cheap. Must live if no car.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Shoal
Located on 2nd street around lots of great restaurants, bars, a movie theatre and a live concert venue.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Northshore
It's great.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Elle West Ave
Pros: Close to work and bars, extremely safe building, close to lady bird lake trail

Cons: Not ideal for pet owners, expensive, parking is limited/in a garage, can hear everything outside
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Skyhouse Austin
Downtown Austin is very much alive, so be prepared to deal with traffic jams and noise, but I guess if you're looking to live in this area this information shouldn't come as a surprise.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Whitley
Vibrant neighborhood with an amazing selection of bars, shops and restaurants. Highly walk-able with almost everything you could need available within a 10-15 min walk.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Posada Del Rey
Walking distance to UT and slightly longer walk to downtown area. Must drive or bike to grocery stores. Several quality nearby restaurants. Frequent siren noise.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Greenwood Towers
Quiet for being downtown (west/3rd)

Pros: Trader Joe's, restaurants, bars, running trail, parking nearby.
Cons: None, I love this part of downtown.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables West Avenue Lofts
It's downtown austin lots of traffic and people around. It's also a party area with many bars close by on rainey st and sixth street is within an ear shot
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Beverly Austin
I can walk to class! And there are fast food restaurants along Guadaloupe and walk to the new Dobie Target. I'm right on the 800s bus lines.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Greenwood Towers
Very close to lots of fun things, no need for a car, generally safe and obviously central to much of Austin
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Plaza
Not a lot of restaurants in immediate surroundings but still short walk to west 6th bars/restaurants.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Park Tower
Literally summersault distance from 10 amazing bars, restaurants, food trucks, music and the office.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Seven
been awesome, don't ever have to take an uber to bars and super convenient for everything.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
404 Rio Grande
Access to many restaurants, bars, and other nightlife. Downside is noise.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
AMLI Downtown
Lots going on bar/restaurant wise and close to downtown offices.
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Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Skyhouse Austin
Everything is super close and convenient.
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Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Gables Republic Square
Close to Rowling and Target and restaurants.
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Reviewed by
5
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The G Austin
Only neighborhood in Austin I could live in.
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
AMLI on 2ND
Downtown is a great place to live!
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Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
AMLI on 2ND


Getting to Know
Downtown Austin

Neighborhood Boundaries
East to West Boundaries: Interregional Hwy to N Lamar Rd
North to South Boundaries: W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd to Colorado River
dining
Austin Ale House
Fixe Austin’s Southern House
III Forks
Uncle Julio’s
grocery
Trader Joe’s
Whole Foods
convenience
CVS Pharmacy
Texaco
fitness
Austin BMX & Skate Park
Austin Pilates
CrossFit Central
Wanderlust Yoga
parks
Doug Sahm Hill
Waterloo Park
coffee
Arturo’s Underground Cafe
Holy Grounds
Lola Savannah Coffee Downtown
Sweetish Hill Bakery
bus
100 (bus)
110 (bus)
18 (bus)
980 (bus)
About your Neighbors
Data from the 2013 American Community Survey
Zip Codes
Downtown Austin includes zip code 78701
Rent vs Own
48
% of Downtown Austin residents are renters
Driving to Work
60
% of Downtown Austin residents drive to work
New Construction
61
% of housing units in Downtown Austin have been built in the last 15 years
Building Types
18
%
<20 units
8
%
20-49 units
75
%
50+ units
Demographics
Children (under 18)
3
%
18 - 34
49
%
35 - 54
28
%
55+
19
%
Unit Mix
11
%
Studio
40
%
1 Bed
44
%
2 Bed
6
%
3+ Bed
Occupation or Education
Working Professional
64
%
Undergrad Student
8
%
Grad Student
5
%
Unemployed
6
%
Retired
16
%

Best Apartments
in Downtown Austin

Gables Park Tower
1 Bed $2,023
2 Beds $3,025

Check availability
Northshore
1 Bed $3,504
2 Beds $4,002
3 Beds $9,037

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The Milago

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The Independent

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AMLI Eastside
1 Bed $1,750
2 Beds $2,534

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The Shoal
Studio $1,650
1 Bed $1,498
2 Beds $2,053

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