Highland Hills: Central Austin Living with Everyday Access to Burnet Road

About Highland Hills

Highland Hills feels like the part of Austin where weeknights can be simple and local: a quick coffee run to Epoch Coffee, a pastry stop at Russell's Bakery, and then an easy slide over to Burnet Road for a low-key drink at Billy's on Burnet Road or a slice at Pinthouse Pizza. In 78731, you’re close enough to the city’s energy to tap into it, but daily life tends to revolve around familiar corridors and neighborhood routines rather than tourist traffic.

What anchors the area for many residents is the school footprint and the steady, lived-in rhythm it creates. Austin ISD is the primary district here, and families often plan their home search around well-regarded campuses nearby like Gullett Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, and Lamar Middle, all carrying A ratings. High school options in the broader orbit include McCallum High School with an A rating and Anderson High School with a B rating, giving households multiple paths depending on exact address and programs.

Housing demand in this pocket is reflected in the area’s pricing, with an average home value around $903,200. That number makes sense when you spend time here: the neighborhood sits among established North/Central Austin communities and draws buyers who want long-term livability near Brentwood, Allandale, and Northwest Hills without giving up the ability to grab dinner or meet friends without driving across town.

The people who choose Highland Hills often look like Austin’s professional core. In the surrounding ZIP area, the median household income is $105,494, and a large share of residents are college educated, with 78.3% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The median age is 42.3, which tracks with the neighborhood’s feel: you’ll see plenty of working professionals, long-time homeowners, and households balancing school schedules with the convenience of nearby cafes and a quick commute.

Highland Hills works best for residents who want North Austin familiarity and flexibility. With spots like Lala’s and Little Longhorn Saloon nearby for old-Austin atmosphere and plenty of coffeehouses for laptop days, the neighborhood tends to attract people who like their Austin lifestyle to be casual, repeatable, and close to home.

Living in Highland Hills: A 78731 Routine Built Around Schools, Coffee, and Quick Commutes

Day-to-day life in Highland Hills is shaped by a balance of ownership stability and rental flexibility. In the 78731 area, about 50.3% of housing is owner-occupied with 44.3% renter-occupied across roughly 15,163 housing units, so you’ll meet neighbors who’ve been here for years alongside newcomers testing out the North Austin lifestyle. That mix shows up in the pace of the streets: mornings are busy with school drop-offs and work commutes, while evenings feel noticeably neighborhood-focused.

Home shopping here usually starts with a clear budget reality. The average home value is about $903,200, and renters should expect a median gross rent around $1,737 per month in the ZIP area. Buyers and tenants alike tend to value the “close-in but not downtown” feel and the ability to build a weekly routine around nearby standbys like Epoch Coffee, Brentwood Social House, and Genuine Joe Coffeehouse, plus easy comfort-food stops like Bird Bird Biscuit and San Francisco Bakery & Cafe.

Schools are a major driver of where people try to land. Austin ISD families often look closely at the A-rated elementary options within a short drive, including Gullett Elementary (about 0.7 miles away), Highland Park Elementary (about 1.1 miles), and Brentwood Elementary (about 1.7 miles). Middle school choices include Lamar Middle with an A rating nearby, while Murchison Middle is closer and rated B. For high school, McCallum High School carries an A rating and Anderson High School is rated B, giving residents recognizable public options in the immediate North/Central Austin network.

Commute patterns here reflect how many residents work. In the ZIP area, 39.1% work from home, which you’ll notice in the midday hum at places like Monkey Nest or Épicerie. For those heading into an office, driving is still common, with 53.9% of workers driving alone. The neighborhood’s location makes it straightforward to reach other parts of Austin for meetings or errands, then quickly return to the quieter home base of 78731.

Weekends in Highland Hills often look like a loop of small pleasures rather than big productions. People meet friends at The Aristocrat, catch the holiday vibe that locals love at Lala’s, or keep it simple with a relaxed evening at Draught House Pub & Brewery. The neighborhood’s demographic profile supports that steady lifestyle too, with a median age of 42.3 and a median household income of $105,494, creating a community where school calendars, remote-work flexibility, and neighborhood hangouts all feel like part of the same routine.

Things to Do Near Highland Hills

Highland Hills residents have a deep bench of casual hangouts within a short drive, especially along familiar North Austin corridors. Coffee runs are part of the culture here, whether that means settling in at Epoch Coffee, grabbing something sweet at Russell's Bakery, or meeting a friend at Brentwood Social House. For a treat-yourself afternoon, people rotate between Upper Crust Bakery, Bird Bird Biscuit, and Picnik depending on the mood.

When the sun drops, the neighborhood’s social life often shifts to Burnet Road staples. Billy's on Burnet Road is a common choice for a no-fuss pint, while Pinthouse Pizza pulls in groups for easy dinners. If you want a distinctly Austin night out, locals point visitors toward Lala’s for its iconic vibe, or Little Longhorn Saloon for a classic, laid-back bar scene that feels rooted in the area rather than imported.

For a change of pace, Highland Hills sits close enough to keep exploring: The Tigress, Workhorse Bar, and Common Interest are all within a few miles, making it easy to bounce between low-key neighborhood spots and livelier evening destinations without turning the night into a long commute.

Neighborhoods Near Highland Hills

Highland Hills sits in the middle of some of Austin’s most recognizable North/Central neighborhoods, which gives residents a lot of “choose your own vibe” flexibility. Northwest Hills is close by and tends to feel more hillside and residential, while Allandale offers another established, neighborhood-forward option for people who want a similar central Austin rhythm with quick access to everyday dining and errands.

Just a short drive away, Highland Park West and Brentwood add their own flavor to the mix, with Brentwood’s café culture often pulling people over for meetups at places like Brentwood Social House. Cat Mountain and North Cat Mountain lean more scenic and tucked-away in feel, while Mount Bonnell is the kind of nearby landmark name that instantly signals you’re living in a well-known part of Austin.

For residents who like keeping options open, nearby areas like Crestview, The Grove, Lower Bull Creek, and Broadacres expand the map for dining, schools, and home styles, without changing the basic reality that 78731 stays centrally connected to the rest of the city.

Local Resources Serving Highland Hills

For families and homeowners, Austin Independent School District is a key local touchpoint, and the Austin Independent School District offices are nearby when you need enrollment guidance, transfer information, or district updates. Many residents also rely on Austin Public Library access for everything from after-school study time to quiet work sessions, which fits well with the area’s high work-from-home share.

On the county side, Travis County services are within practical reach. The Travis County Clerk is a convenient resource for records and administrative needs, and homeowners commonly interact with the Travis Central Appraisal District when valuation notices arrive or when they want to understand how their property is being assessed.

For day-to-day tasks, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles - Drivers License Office is nearby when it’s time to renew or update documents. Utilities and city services are also straightforward to navigate through Austin Water Utility and Austin City Hall, and having an Austin Fire Station in the area adds peace of mind for residents thinking long-term about neighborhood infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Highland Hills

Is Highland Hills a good place to live?

Highland Hills is a strong fit for buyers and renters who want a North/Central Austin routine built around great schools and nearby local businesses. The 78731 area supports a comfortable, established feel with a median age of 42.3 and a median household income of $105,494, and it’s common to see neighbors mixing work-from-home days with quick coffee runs to Epoch Coffee or weekend catch-ups near Burnet Road. Housing is a meaningful investment here, with an average home value around $903,200, but residents often point to the convenience of nearby A-rated Austin ISD schools like Gullett Elementary and Lamar Middle as part of the value.

Is Highland Hills safe?

Safety can vary block by block in any part of Austin, and no neighborhood can promise zero crime. That said, Highland Hills reads as a stable, lived-in community with a solid base of homeowners and long-term residents, with owner-occupied housing around 50.3% in the 78731 area. Places with steady neighborhood routines—school traffic near campuses like Gullett Elementary and Highland Park Elementary, plus regular foot traffic to nearby coffee shops—often feel more “known” and watched over. Many residents take a practical approach: they stay connected with neighbors, keep exterior lighting in good shape, and pay attention to what’s happening on their street, especially around commute hours and evenings.

How are the schools in Highland Hills?

Schools are one of the biggest reasons people focus their home search around Highland Hills. The neighborhood is served primarily by Austin ISD, with multiple A-rated campuses within about five miles. Nearby standouts include Gullett Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, Brentwood Elementary, and Hill Elementary, along with Lamar Middle, all rated A. For high school, McCallum High School is rated A and Anderson High School is rated B, giving families recognizable options depending on zoning and program needs. There are also other highly rated choices nearby, such as Bridge Point Elementary in Eanes ISD, plus several A-rated charter options like BASIS Austin and IDEA Rundberg College Preparatory.

What is the cost of living in Highland Hills?

Highland Hills sits in a part of Austin where overall costs are close to the national norm, but housing is notably higher. Using a regional price parity-style cost index where 100 equals the US average, the overall cost of living index is 98.1, which is slightly below average. The housing index is 120.4, meaning housing costs run well above the national baseline, which fits with an average home value around $903,200 and a median gross rent of $1,737 per month in the ZIP area. Everyday spending can feel a bit easier than expected, since the goods index is 93.8 and utilities are 82.0, both below 100. Property taxes are a major part of the monthly math for owners. The city property tax rate is $0.5740 per $100 of valuation, the county rate is $0.3758 per $100, and the Austin ISD school district tax rate is $0.9252 per $100. Together, the combined estimated property tax rate comes to $1.8751 per $100 valuation. Many households balance that with the fact that Texas has no state income tax, which can improve the overall picture depending on income and where you’re relocating from.

Is Highland Hills good for families?

Highland Hills can work well for families who want strong public school options close to home and a neighborhood routine that doesn’t require constant driving across Austin. Several A-rated Austin ISD schools are nearby, including Gullett Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, and Lamar Middle, and McCallum High School is also rated A. The area’s demographics support a family-and-professional mix, with 11.2% of the ZIP population under 18 and a median age of 42.3, so it’s common to see households balancing school schedules with work-from-home days. Families also appreciate having easy, familiar go-to spots nearby like Bird Bird Biscuit and Brentwood Social House for casual weekend meals.

What is Highland Hills known for?

Highland Hills is known for its close-in North Austin feel and its easy access to the everyday places residents actually use. In practice, that means being near Burnet Road favorites like Billy's on Burnet Road and Pinthouse Pizza, with classic Austin personality close by at Lala’s and Little Longhorn Saloon. It’s also recognized for being surrounded by well-established neighborhoods—Northwest Hills, Allandale, and Brentwood are all nearby—which helps explain the area’s strong housing demand and an average home value around $903,200. For many residents, the neighborhood’s identity is tied to Austin ISD access, with multiple A-rated schools close enough to shape where people choose to buy or rent.

What are things to do near Highland Hills?

Near Highland Hills, most outings are built around local food, coffee, and easygoing nightlife rather than big, one-off destinations. Residents rotate through coffeehouses like Epoch Coffee, Monkey Nest, and Genuine Joe Coffeehouse, then pick up something sweet from Russell's Bakery or Upper Crust Bakery. For casual evenings, Burnet Road staples like Billy's on Burnet Road and Pinthouse Pizza make it easy to meet friends without a long drive. If you want a more distinctly Austin experience, Lala’s is a popular stop for its iconic atmosphere, and Little Longhorn Saloon is close enough for a classic night out that still feels neighborhood-adjacent.

What ZIP code is Highland Hills in?

Highland Hills is in ZIP code 78731. That ZIP covers a large part of North/Central Austin, so exact school zoning and commute routes can vary by street.

Interested in Highland Hills?

If you’re considering Highland Hills, a local agent can help you compare blocks within 78731, understand Austin ISD school options nearby, and estimate monthly costs with today’s tax rates. Reach out for a tailored short list of homes that match how you actually want to live day to day.