73fit
#1Downtown
$3K ACS median rent
Rainey, Sixth, and the warehouse blocks live here. Highest walk score, highest nightlife, and a crime rate inflated by visitors.
- Walk index
- 100
- Safety index
- 0
- Published fit
- 73
Nightlife
Most walkable neighborhoods in Austin
Where a grocery run is realistic on foot — or at least with fewer car trips. Official Austin Neighborhood Planning Areas, counted inside 800 meters.
We count groceries, cafes, parks, and transit stops inside 800 meters of each official planning area. It is an errand map, not a Walk Score license, and not a vibe contest. Rankings stay inside Austin.
10 of 20
Data period. ACS 2024 5-year (2020-2024) · APD Sep 2025 – Aug 2026 · OSM Aug 2026. ACS and APD retrieved 2026-08-31; OSM retrieved 2026-08-31. Editorial copy last revised Sep 2026.
The ranking
Top 10 of 20 official Neighborhood Planning Areas. Same order for every reader. Fit is a number inside Austin only.
| # | Neighborhood | Fit | Rent | Schools | Safety | Walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downtown | 73 | $2,714 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
| 2 | Brentwood | 48 | $1,662 | 63 | 89 | 19 |
| 3 | Allandale | 47 | $1,741 | 73 | 100 | 10 |
| 4 | Zilker | 46 | $2,175 | 93 | 74 | 9 |
| 5 | Crestview | 46 | $1,921 | 57 | 95 | 13 |
| 6 | Central East Austin | 45 | $2,472 | 13 | 58 | 29 |
| 7 | Hyde Park | 44 | $1,681 | 80 | 84 | 9 |
| 8 | Bouldin Creek | 43 | $1,915 | 60 | 21 | 28 |
| 9 | Rosedale | 42 | $1,469 | 90 | 68 | 4 |
| 10 | Barton Hills | 42 | $1,820 | 100 | 63 | 5 |
Stuck between these two? Downtown vs Brentwood
48fit
#2Brentwood
$2K ACS median rent
Bungalows between Crestview and Hyde Park. Slightly more cafes than Allandale, slightly less polish than Rosedale.
- Walk index
- 19
- Safety index
- 89
- Published fit
- 48
Family streets
Stuck between these two? Brentwood vs Allandale
47fit
#3Allandale
$2K ACS median rent
North-central lawns and a quieter night. You will drive more; you will hear less.
- Walk index
- 10
- Safety index
- 100
- Published fit
- 47
Family streets
Stuck between these two? Allandale vs Zilker
46fit
#4Zilker
$2K ACS median rent
Park first, houses second. Barton Springs and the trail set the pace; prices follow the shade.
- Walk index
- 9
- Safety index
- 74
- Published fit
- 46
WaterfrontFamily streets
Stuck between these two? Zilker vs Crestview
46fit
#5Crestview
$2K ACS median rent
North central, Red Line adjacent, with a younger mix than Allandale next door.
- Walk index
- 13
- Safety index
- 95
- Published fit
- 46
Family streets
Stuck between these two? Crestview vs Central East Austin
45fit
#6Central East Austin
$2K ACS median rent
East of I-35, north of Cesar Chavez. Rapid change, strong food, mixed housing, and a walk to downtown.
- Walk index
- 29
- Safety index
- 58
- Published fit
- 45
Nightlife
Stuck between these two? Central East Austin vs Hyde Park
44fit
#7Hyde Park
$2K ACS median rent
Streetcar bungalows, porches, and a grocery you can walk to. The classic first stop for people who want central without downtown noise.
- Walk index
- 9
- Safety index
- 84
- Published fit
- 44
Family streets
Stuck between these two? Hyde Park vs Bouldin Creek
43fit
#8Bouldin Creek
$2K ACS median rent
West of South Congress: cottages, food trailers, and the SoCo strip on the doorstep.
- Walk index
- 28
- Safety index
- 21
- Published fit
- 43
Nightlife
Stuck between these two? Bouldin Creek vs Rosedale
42fit
#9Rosedale
$1K ACS median rent
Medical-center adjacent, walkable groceries, and a calmer read than Hyde Park on a Saturday night.
- Walk index
- 4
- Safety index
- 68
- Published fit
- 42
Family streets
Stuck between these two? Rosedale vs Barton Hills
42fit
#10Barton Hills
$2K ACS median rent
Hills west of Zilker. Quiet streets, trail access, and a car for most errands.
- Walk index
- 5
- Safety index
- 63
- Published fit
- 42
WaterfrontFamily streets
Common questions
Same list, said in questions. The numbers are in the table.
What does this Austin ranking actually measure?
Who can do more of a week on foot. We count mapped groceries, cafes, parks, and transit inside 800 meters — an errand map, not a Walk Score license.
Why is Downtown #1?
Downtown wins the errand count — walk 100 vs 19 in Brentwood. Groceries within 800 meters: 19 vs 5.
How is this different from the family list?
The family list pays for nearby schools and a quieter map. This one pays for the grocery and the transit stop. A lawn with a long drive can win families and lose here.
Why isn't Mueller on this list?
Mueller is official and still off this top 10. Walk 20 — groceries 4, transit 28 inside 800 meters. A bigger yard can lose to a shorter shop.
Can I compare an Austin score to another city?
No. Hyde Park in Austin is not Hyde Park in Chicago. A 72 here is a rank inside this city’s official Neighborhood Planning Areas, not a grade you can carry across a state line.
What does rent mean on this list?
ACS median gross rent among these 10 areas runs $1,469 to $2,714. Five-year survey, studios through large apartments mixed together — not a listing you can message tonight.
Everyone sees this order so the list is arguable. Set your own weights · Method.